Week In Review: Burrow's Next Steps
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to Cincinnati for the first time since he tore his ACL Nov. 22 and on his second day back at Paul Brown Stadium he offered some looming milestones in his rehab following the Dec. 2 reconstructive surgery.
Burrow's Rehab Road A Familiar One
Burrow's knee rehab is a familiar story and few have seen more of those than Bengals head certified athletic trainer Paul Sparling. Sparling predicts that Burrow "is going to make everyone look good."
Palmer Knows The Grind & Burrow Is The Right Guy
Carson Palmer, who fought through it twice to win on Opening Day, won't be surprised to see Burrow take that first snap of the season like he did when he quarterbacked the Bengals to a 23-10 victory in the 2006 opener at Kansas City. "Joe's in great hands. If you combine that with the desire and the work ethic and the want-to, which Joe will, it's a great recipe."
Burrow Takes Deep Thoughts Into Rehab
Burrow made it clear he is in it for the long haul as he endorsed head coach Zac Taylor and his offense that he hopes to enhance by also rehabbing his deep ball.
Go inside the action with some of the best images from the Bengals 2020 season.
Bengals kick returner Brandon Wilson celebrates after setting a team record with a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the New York Giants.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) tackles New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is tackled by during the second half of NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals' D.J. Reader (98) sacks Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) makes a catch for a touchdown over Dallas Cowboys cornerback Saivon Smith (32) in the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard forces a fumble on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watston in the fourth quarter to help seal a victory.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Bengals running back Samaje Perine is surrounded by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither celebrates with teammates after an interception of the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson in Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season.
Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) breaks up a pass against Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Linebacker Josh Bynes flexes after recovering a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber (10) gets off a punt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard signals that it is fourth down after making a stop against the New York Giants.
Cincinnati Bengals' Jonah Williams (73) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins celebrates with his teammates after scoring a receiving touchdown against the Cleveland Browns
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season.
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) reacts after intercepting a pass thrown by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (Christian Jenkins via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates in front of Cleveland Browns' Andrew Sendejo (23) after a run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd is excited after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
Cornerback William Jackson III races down field after a pass breakup against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020.
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd looks on after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals defense celebrated in the end zone after forcing their second turnover of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, celebrates with teammates after Burrow ran for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Giovani Bernard looks to the sky after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.
S Jessie Bates III and CB William Jackson III celebrate after stopping the Pittsburgh Steelers on downs in the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium.
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tyler Eifert (88) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips (23), cornerback William Jackson (22), linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) and strong safety Shawn Williams (36) in the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Los Angeles Chargers' Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' William Jackson (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) kicks a field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws downfield during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem (90) rushes the passer against Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown (78) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Right tackle Bobby Hart leaps out to pass block against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 of the 2020 season.
Bengals safety Vonn Bell recovers a fumble against the New York Giants in Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season.
Quarterback Brandon Allen throws the ball in the first half against the Houston Texans in Week 16 of the 2020 NFL season.
Bengals defensive tackle Christian Covington tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) dives for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Landover, Md. (Alexander Jonesi via AP)
Bengals Take Another Run At Pollack As O-Line Coach
A year ago Bengals running back Joe Mixon gave his touchdown ball against the Jets to New York offensive line coach Frank Pollack to thank him for his help during the biggest season of his career. Now Pollack is going to be giving him the ball as the Bengals new offensive line coach.
Hobson's Choice: Wish Lists
Bengals.com Senior Writer Geoff Hobson answers questions from fans in the latest Hobson's Choice about the 2021 NFL Draft, adding pieces on defense and players returning from injury.
Other Noteworthy Items
- Old School Scribe Podcast as Dave Lapham looks back on the 1981 Bengals and their championship run.
- Bengals greats Carson Palmer and David Fulcher were named to 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class.
- Pollack's hire gains wide support with the Bengals players.
- The Cincinnati Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America named S Jessie Bates III as the Bengals' 2020 Most Valuable Player and HB Giovani Bernard as the recipient of the organization's annual "Good Guy" award.
- Bates earned earned a Second Team, NFL All-Pro selection after a breakout season in 2020.
