Nearly four months have passed since Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow underwent season-ending wrist surgery. About a month remains from the 2024 Bengals getting together for the first time this offseason.
The first phase of the offseason program usually takes place right before the NFL Draft.
Burrow may not be participating in those workouts, but the outlook on him recovering on schedule for the Bengals remains optimistic.
Joe Burrow is 'right on schedule'
Head coach Zac Taylor likely knew the question regarding his signal-caller was coming, and his answer bodes well for Burrow returning on time to get offseason work in.
"It's positive," Taylor said of Burrow's recovery at NFL owners meetings. "It's right on schedule, and so we're encouraged with everything we thought it was going to be and where he's going to fit into our offseason."
Taylor utilized clever word choice towards the end. The Bengals have an internal timeline of when they expect Burrow to be cleared, and that's only been made slightly public by Burrow himself earlier this month.
"I think middle of May is when I am expecting to kind of be cleared for full contact and everything," Burrow said. "Over the next month (to) month and a half, we'll kind of decide all those things."
The middle of May would put the first voluntary workout out of question. Rookie minicamp usually falls around that time as well, so that may be pushing it.
Voluntary OTAs began for the Bengals in early June last year. That remains a realistic expectation for Burrow to make a full return to practice. Taylor's latest update only confirms it more.
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