Joe Burrow's admission could spoil Bengals' positive start

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Joe Burrow's worrying admission could spoil Bengals' positive start

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 8:26 AM ET

Uh, oh. Not again.

On Wednesday, Joe Burrow put a damper on a promising start to the season for the Cincinnati Bengals when the seven-year veteran quarterback "told reporters that he is dealing with 'back tightness," according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

While the 2020 No. 1 overall pick added he anticipates playing in a quality Week 2 game against the Houston Texans, even the slightest mention of injury might be enough to throw the Bengals into a panic.

As fantastic as Burrow has been since entering the league, injuries have been his greatest limitation. He previously suffered a torn ACL that ended his rookie season after 10 games. In 2023, he was also limited to 10 games after tearing a ligament in his right wrist. Last season — a year removed from throwing a career-high 4,918 yards — Burrow missed nine games after undergoing turf toe surgery in mid-September.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow told reporters that he is dealing with “back tightness”, but he expects to play Sunday at Houston against the Texans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2026

Joe Burrow's injury history raises concerns over most recent ailment

Burrow's back might not be bad enough to keep him from playing against Houston, but if it's already giving him issues, what are the odds it feels better after 16 more games?

Four of Cincinnati's next five games are on the road. In addition to Sunday's game against the Texans, the Bengals also travel to the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0), Miami Dolphins (0-1) and Baltimore Ravens (1-0).

Losing Burrow for any period of time would, as in past seasons, be a debilitating loss for the Bengals, who haven't made the playoffs since 2022.

Cincinnati made some significant moves to improve the roster around Burrow this offseason, particularly on defense, trading the No. 10 overall pick in April's NFL Draft for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signing edge-rusher Boye Mafe (three years, $60M) and safety Bryan Cook (three years, $40.25M) to sizable free-agent contracts.

The early returns in a 33-27 Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were promising. The Bengals forced four turnovers and held the Bucs to 282 yards. According to Stathead research, it marked the first time Cincinnati's defense forced at least four turnovers and limited an opponent to 300 yards or less since Week 16 of the 2013 season.

Per ESPN, Mafe tied for 11th among edges in pass-rush win rate in Week 1. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, another offseason acquisition, ranked third in pass-rush win rate among defensive tackles.

The Bengals had plenty to like about the start to their season, but any positivity would be zapped if Burrow missed time with yet another injury. Cincinnati's seen that movie before, and it never ends well.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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