Joe Burrow’s first minicamp is in the books.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told the team after Tuesday’s first minicamp session that they have the rest of minicamp off, which means the Bengals are on break until training camp.
The Bengals' quarterback spoke to media members following Tuesday’s first and only mandatory minicamp and provided an update on his surgically repaired left knee.
“Good. Really good,” Burrow said. “Happy with where it’s at. Still got a ways to go. Still got about three months left for the rehab. But I’ll be ready to go for the season as long as there’s no setbacks. Right now, it’s looking good.”
Burrow declared during OTAs last month that his left knee is about 85%. He said on Tuesday that his knee was around the same percentage.
“About the same. We were still working that rehab throughout the whole offseason, meaning throughout OTAs,” Burrow said, “but couldn’t do as much as usual just because of practice, fatigue, all that. So we’ll ramp that back up now and get back to 100% before camp.”
This Wednesday, Burrow will reach the 28-week post-operation mark. The prognosis for his type of injury is nine to 12 months.
Seven months into rehab, Burrow is still on track to be available for the season-opener on Sept. 12 versus the Minnesota Vikings.
During OTAs and minicamp, Burrow went through drills with a protective brace surrounding his left knee. The 2020 NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick tossed several short and intermediate passes to receivers and tight ends, and he heaved some long balls more than 40 yards. He ran cautiously, did some dropback passes and ran some naked bootlegs.
The Bengals monitored Burrow closely during all drills at OTAs and minicamp. The club was very protective of the quarterback and made sure there was no traffic around Burrow when he participated in drills. Understandably, the team didn’t want Burrow’s legs to get tangled up with another player, coach or football.
Overall though, Taylor and the Bengals' staff were pleased with what they saw from their starting quarterback during OTAs and Tuesday's minicamp.
“Certainly, very guarded in our approach there. I think he's done a great job. He looks good, certainly not all the way there yet, so there's still a process we have to follow leading into training camp, but you guys have been out there. I think everybody's optimistic,” Taylor said of Burrow. “I think he really enjoyed getting out there. It was probably good for him to get the jersey on, put the helmet back on and get in the huddle and call plays, just to be able to throw the ball and see coverages in 7-on-7, so I would say – obviously, I didn't want to make any predictions before the offseason program, but he's in a really good spot.”
At the conclusion of minicamp, Burrow is indeed in a good spot.
Training camp is scheduled to get underway for the Bengals on July 27. From now until the Bengals report to camp, Burrow will continue to rehab his left knee and simultaneously work on his overall body strength.
The quarterback is about 85%. By training camp, Burrow should be even closer at being cleared for full football activities.
As for Week 1? Burrow’s said all along that he’s targeting a Week 1 return. He is well on pace to achieve his goal barring any setbacks – and there haven't been any thus far with OTAs and minicamp now in the rearview.
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