Former Steeler Bryant McFadden predicts Bengals will miss playoffs, hints that Joe Burrow’s injury is significant

When Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a calf injury it looked like it could turn the team’s season upside down. Burrow took a cart off of the field and did not turn to practice, but was fortunately diagnosed with a calf strain.

Although he received a “several week” return timeline, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden said this week that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bengals are being overly optimistic about their quarterback’s health.

“I think that injury might be a little more significant than they’re telling us,” McFadden said on 93.7 the Fan. “I strained my calf throughout my time playing and I was back ready to go in like two weeks, if not sooner. So I don’t know where he is in regards to being the Joe Burrow, that we’ve all grown some to seeing play outstanding football.

“Can he sustain that in regard to health for a full season? I don’t know. If Trevor Siemian is a starting quarterback, at least for more than half of their ball games this year, they’re not getting into the playoffs.”

McFadden’s prediction is certainly a bold one, but also far-fetched. Besides Zac Taylor’s refusal to give more specific insights into when Burrow could return to the team, there’s no reason to believe he’ll miss any regular season games, let alone “half of their ball games,” as McFadden imagined.

Zac Taylor echoes initial timeline for Burrow return

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor provided a timeline on Burrow’s injury the day after, saying Burrow would be sidelined for “several weeks.” On Wednesday, Taylor provided another equally vague injury update on his star quarterback.

“The timeline is several weeks from when I said several weeks,” Taylor said according to NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of “several” is “more than two but fewer than many.”

Taylor’s response was mysterious, but it appearers that Burrow’s injury status and timeline to return remain the same. Taylor gave his latest update on Burrow’s status on July 29. So, in theory, several weeks from that date is when fans should expect to see Burrow back in action, as initially reported.

Burrow, fresh off leading the Bengals to Super LVI, recorded the first Pro Bowl season of his career. He threw for 4,475 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 68.3% passing. He added 257 yards and five scores on the ground. In 2021, Burrow earned the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award.