Cincinnati Bengals fans and the wider NFL world were dealt a crushing blow on Saturday as the full extent of quarterback Joe Burrow's injury was revealed. The franchise star has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right wrist, an injury that places his entire 2023 season in serious jeopardy.
The devastating news comes after Burrow was forced to exit Thursday night's gruelling 34-20 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. The injury occurred not on a single, brutal hit, but seemingly from the cumulative strain of the game, leaving the Bengals' Super Bowl aspirations hanging by a thread.
A Season Derailed
Initial X-rays taken during the game reportedly showed no fracture, offering a fleeting moment of hope. However, further MRI scans conducted on Friday uncovered the true, severe damage: a torn scapholunate ligament. This type of injury to a quarterback's throwing wrist is particularly debilitating, often requiring surgical intervention and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Burrow himself was seen after the game with his right wrist and hand heavily wrapped, a clear sign of the significant trauma suffered. The Bengals have officially listed him as out for their upcoming Week 11 matchup, but the expectation is that his absence will be measured in months, not weeks.
What This Means for the Bengals
This injury is a catastrophic event for the Bengals' campaign. With a record of 5-5, the team is already in a fierce battle for a playoff spot in the highly competitive AFC. The loss of their $275 million talisman, the heart and soul of their offence, is an almost insurmountable setback.
Veteran backup Jake Browning is now thrust into the starting role. Browning, who has never started an NFL game, completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and one touchdown after relieving Burrow against the Ravens. The weight of the franchise now rests on his shoulders.
The Bengals' front office now faces an agonising decision on whether to place Burrow on Injured Reserve, which would officially end his season. This injury sends shockwaves through the AFC playoff picture and marks a profoundly disappointing turn for one of the league's most electrifying players.
