Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced Wednesday that starting quarterback Joe Burrow will play in the Bengals' preseason finale against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
From The Enquirer's Kelsey Conway via Twitter:
Burrow did not play in either of the Bengals' first two preseason games against the Buccaneers in Tampa or against Washington at FedEx Field. During a televised sideline interview during the opener, Burrow left open the possibility of playing in a preseason game.
Taylor said Burrow and several offensive starters will see very few snaps. As for his reasoning in playing his franchise quarterback prior to the season-opener, Cincinnati's third-year head coach wants the starting offense and coaching staff to bank some game-like reps before Sept. 12.
"It will be good to get those guys out there and get them next to each other in the huddle with the coaches on the field, with the fans cheering them on," Taylor said on Wednesday. "I think that’s what’s best for the team. I think that’s what’s best for all of us."
Burrow suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee last November after playing 10 games in his rookie season. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft was fully cleared before the start of training camp and has participated in every practice but one earlier this month. After lobbying to play for the last few weeks, Burrow will get his wish.
The decision to let Burrow play a few snaps was not one the Bengals made on a whim. The team took every consideration into account and ultimately decided getting the 24-year-old in a game prior to Week 1 was beneficial for all. Taylor said they even went back through the last 10-15 years of various scenarios in which quarterbacks tore their ACL and if they played in the preseason to make sure ensure they were thor
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa - selected by Miami four picks after Burrow went No. 1 to Cincinnati - completed 16 of his 23 attempts for 183 yards with a touchdown in a 37-17 win last week against the Atlanta Falcons in his team's second preseason game.
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