The Cincinnati Bengals listed quarterback Joe Burrow as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with a back injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday.
The designation came hours after head coach Zac Taylor said Burrow practiced in full Friday and would play.
“He feels good,” Taylor said.
Burrow was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday with back tightness. He said he started feeling soreness in the hours after Sunday’s season-opening 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He was not sure when the injury happened. Burrow was sacked once in the opener but took a hard hit while scrambling for a first down on a drive that ended in a touchdown.
He made no significant throws Wednesday and told reporters he got in mental reps. At his press conference that day, Burrow made clear he had no plans to sit.
“I think every game is important,” Burrow said. “I’ll do what it takes to be out there.”
Taylor said Friday he does not want Burrow changing how he plays to protect himself, this week or going forward.
“He’s a competitor,” Taylor said. “Take that from him and now what do you have? You got a guy who you’ve taken the stinger out of him a little bit. I’m not about that.”
Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards against Tampa Bay, with a touchdown and an interception that was returned for a score. Ja’Marr Chase caught two passes for 12 yards.
Joe Flacco is the backup. The Bengals could also elevate Josh Johnson from the practice squad as an emergency third quarterback.
Burrow is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2024.
A win Sunday would give Cincinnati a 2-0 start for the second straight season. The Bengals opened 2025 with wins over the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, but Burrow injured his toe against Jacksonville and missed the next nine games.
Cincinnati finished 6-11. The Bengals have missed the playoffs three straight seasons.
Houston’s defense will test his back. The Texans’ pass rush is led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
The Texans will be without their top receiver. Houston ruled out Nico Collins earlier Friday with a hamstring injury he suffered in Wednesday’s practice.
Defensive tackle B.J. Hill is also questionable for Cincinnati with Achilles soreness. Defensive end Shemar Stewart, the Bengals’ 2025 first-round pick, is set to make his season debut after hurting his knee on the first day of training camp.
The Bengals visit the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
