'If I need a break, I need a break': Joe Burrow has grown in the exact area the Bengals needed

Joe Burrow's 2023 season, and subsequently, the entire Bengals' season, was turned on its head before July turned to August. Tightness in Burrow's calf turned into a calf strain that would sideline him for several weeks, and hinder him for even longer.

It all happened when the NFL MVP candidate tried to practice through the pain under the hot summer sun in training camp. 

Nearly a year later, months removed from an entirely different injury, Burrow sounds like a 27-year old who's undergone the most important development of his professional career.

As Burrow begins practicing again, approximately five months since undergoing season-ending surgery on his throwing wrist, he knows the recovery is not all the way done. He's yet to be cleared for full contact, but pass rushers won't be trying to tackle him until the preseason anyways.

What matters is how the wrist feels while throwing. According to Burrow, he only just started throwing about a month ago. There's rust to be shaken off despite the fact that his offseason conditioning hasn't been as disrupted.

There will be temptations to push through the occasional pain as he gets back on track, but Burrow must remember what happened last year very clearly, and he doesn't want to repeat history.

"I need to, first off, try to be out there for training camp, get as many reps as i can with the guys," Burrow said. "I'm gonna be smart about it. You know, if I need a break, I need a break. The wrist maybe is gonna hurt sometimes. And I'm gonna be honest with myself about how my body's feeling, maybe a little more cautious than I have been in years past. So that's kind of been something that's been on my mind for the last couple months. And I'm getting better at that.

"It's always a challenge to not push yourself in that way, but I'm growing and learning every year, trying to be a pro, and trying to figure out how to best be available for my team."