'They have a history of this': Former Super Bowl champion rips Bengals after Joe Burrow's latest injury

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed on Monday that Burrow will be out at least three months, so Cincinnati will have its work cut out for it in his absence. After all, as Schefter stated, the Bengals are 40-30-1 and average 25.3 points per game with him, compared to 6-8 and only 19.9 points per game without him.

Add this to the long line of injuries Burrow has battled through as a Bengal, and the latest example of the organization failing to take advantage of its talented QBs, something former Super Bowl-winning defensive end Chris Canty touched on during Tuesday's edition of ESPN's "First Take."

Chris Canty airs out his frustration with Bengals organization

"I'm concerned about it and I was concerned before this latest injury," Canty said. "I said it last year. What stops Joe Burrow from being the latest in a long line of Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks that have MVP talent, but don't allow that talent to translate into team success at the highest level?

"...With the Cincinnati Bengals organization, with the Brown family, they have a history of this. So, when we see Joe Burrow, who started his career in his rookie season getting cut in half because the offensive line couldn't protect him, why would we think that the Cincinnati Bengals are going to manage him and (are) going to protect him in a way that they have never done with all the other quarterbacks that have come through their organization that have MVP-caliber talent? I just don't see it. So yeah, I'm concerned with Joe Burrow's career because of the organization that he is a part of."

This is just the latest setback for Burrow, who has dealt with numerous injuries during his career up to this point. He missed six games in 2020 with a torn left ACL/MCL and was sidelined for seven games in 2023 with a right wrist injury.

It was not all bad on Sunday, though, as backup QB Jake Browning led the Bengals to the win, albeit while throwing three interceptions. This situation is also nothing new to him after previously serving as Burrow's backup in 2023, going 4-3 with 12 TDs and seven interceptions.

He will have a full week to prepare for the Minnesota Vikings, who are also dealing with their own QB issues, but his past history suggests he will not be able to save Cincinnati's season while Burrow is out.

The Bengals have a much bigger issue on top of the Burrow injury

While Burrow's absence will certainly be felt, Cincinnati's inability to protect its QBs continues to be a lingering issue. There is no denying the talent on the perimeter with wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but the lack of protection from the offensive line is concerning.

On top of a defense that has been one of the worst in the league the past few seasons, Burrow was sacked 48 times last season, which was tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. With two more sacks on Sunday, Burrow continues to get no help when he drops back.

For the first time since Burrow became the starter for the Bengals, Cincinnati is 2-0. With him sidelined for at least three months and a struggling offensive line and defense, that success will likely not translate unless some improvements are made soon.