NFL coach offers positive outlook on Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow's injury concerns

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Jul 15, 2024 12:45 PM ET

Despite missing a good chunk of last season due to injury, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow rose up one spot to #2 in ESPN's annual top 10 quarterback rankings as voted on by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.

Burrow's history of injuries is about the only thing left to worry about him as a player. It's imperative that he stays on the field going forward, and two season-ending incidents in four years has sparked a fair amount of doubt.

But not everyone has a doom-and-gloom outlook on Cincinnati's quarterback.

One of the coaches ESPN's Jeremy Fowler talked to, a veteran NFC offensive coach, mentioned that Burrow still being a young player makes his injury past "not as concerning."

"Baller. Release. Decision-making. Tough as nails. One play away from already having a ring. And young so the injury not as concerning." - NFC coach on Burrow

Whether this refers to the ACL tear, calf strain, or torn ligament in his throwing wrist, it's an interesting perspective to have. It's not that Burrow hasn't suffered injuries, it's that he's not so far into his career that his body will start to break down.

And that's true, but it's not as if Burrow is a spring chicken anymore.

Having been drafted well after his 23rd birthday, Burrow is a bit on the older side for a fifth-year player. He'll turn 28 this December before he hopes to lead the Bengals on another deep postseason run. Patrick Mahomes is already 28, and he's not exactly referred to as a young QB anymore.

Burrow noted on Pardon My Take that many people have recently incorrectly assumed he was turning 30 years old. Having just turned 28 myself, I can relate.

27 or 28 is not 30, but it's also not necessarily "young" in the NFL world, especially when most careers flame out before a few years in the league. However, the rules are literally different for quarterbacks. It's a position that sees its top players play well into their 30s, sometimes 40s.

For a QB, Burrow is not only still relatively young, he's in the physical prime of his career. That's reason enough for those in the know to have confidence in him outlasting his past injuries.

He's just gotta stay healthy, starting with this season. He's already on the right track by acknowledging a need to prioritize his health during training camp leading up to the season. We'll see how that process plays out for real in two weeks.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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