Joe Burrow will play for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday against the Houston Texans, and he is expected to do so without limitations, Ian Rapoport said Sunday on NFL GameDay.
“Joe Burrow is going to answer the bell,” Rapoport said. “He is going to play today for the Cincinnati Bengals. And my understanding is he is going to play with no limitations.”
The quarterback’s back was a real concern early in the week.
Burrow woke up very sore Monday, according to Rapoport, and was extremely limited in practice Wednesday. He still threw that day, but outside the view of reporters.
He began to feel more like himself Thursday. By Friday, he took his full reps.
“And my understanding is on Friday, he got his full reps and was back to feeling good and being his old self,” Rapoport said. “Plus, he took the mental reps. He did the film work that he always does.”
The official practice report matched that progression. Burrow was limited Wednesday and Thursday before a full session Friday.
Burrow never sounded worried. Asked Wednesday about possibly sitting, he called the idea “ridiculous.”
The Bengals still listed him as questionable and took precautions. On Saturday, they elevated veteran quarterback Josh Johnson from the practice squad as a third option behind backup Joe Flacco.
The soreness traces to a hit Burrow took while scrambling for a first down in the opener.
He finished that game 25-of-35 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Cincinnati won 33-27 over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recovering four fumbles and holding on after an 18-point Tampa Bay rally.
Houston presents a tougher defense on paper, though it allowed 36 points to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. The Texans will be without edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee) on that side of the ball.
Their offense is short as well. Receiver Nico Collins is out with a hamstring injury that could sideline him for two games.
Burrow will throw to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, while defensive end Shemar Stewart is set for his season debut on the Cincinnati defense.
Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium on CBS.
A win would move the Bengals to 2-0 before they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 27.
