Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow Questionable for ‘Monday Night Football’

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doubtful for Monday Night Football

Quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with a calf injury and will have a decision for the Cincinnati Bengals tonight on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams (1-1) and Bengals (0-2) face off in a rematch of Super Bowl LVI. Two years ago, the Bengals had a strong playoff run and won the AFC Championship, giving them a chance to go to the Super Bowl. The Rams gained a rare Super Bowl advantage at home in Los Angeles, defeating the Bengals 23-20.

The Bengals will host the Rams in "The Jungle" at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday Night Football in Week 3.

The winless Bengals are desperate for their first win of the season and are bucking a historical trend. Since 1990, only four teams that started 0-3 have earned a playoff berth.

Despite an 0-2 start, the Bengals have a -105 chance to make the playoffs, according to DraftKings betting.

Burrow caused serious calf injury

Burrow suffered a calf injury early in training camp and missed most of the preseason. He started in Week 1 but looked rusty in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns in an early AFC North game. Burrow completed 14 of 31 passes for 82 yards and no touchdowns. He was sacked twice and the Tigers managed just three runs in their first game of the season.

Burrow looked much better in the season opener at home, Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, their first game without running back J.K. Dobbins in the lineup. Burrow completed 27 of 41 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. In the 27-24 loss, he was substituted once and sent off once.

Burrow limped off the field after scoring a touchdown late in the game. Television cameras saw Burrow receiving a massage from a trainer using a massage gun on the sidelines. Fans hoped Burrow was just suffering from cramps, but their worst fears were confirmed after the game was announced that Burrow's calf injury had worsened.

The Bengals told the media that Burrow is day-to-day. Burrow was spotted doing red zone drills on Friday but wearing a compression sleeve on his leg.

My job is to go out and play," Burrow said."That's what I'm preparing for. "

“We’ll see,” head coach Zac Taylor said. "It's just day by day. We'll have a conversation and see how it goes."

Bengals lack a suitable backup quarterback

The Bengals listed Burrow as doubtful on their official injury report on Friday.

Calf injuries can take weeks or even months to heal. The Tigers are in a tough spot due to a slow 0-2 start. Both the Bengals and Burrows are concerned because the risk of playing with a calf injury is high. Kevin Durant ruptured his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals.

Ravens' Dobbins and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered season-ending Achilles tendon injuries in the first week of the season.

Jake Browning is listed as the Bengals' backup quarterback. If Burrow is unable to play due to injury, Browning will make his first NFL start against the Rams. Browning played his college ball with the Washington Huskies but went undrafted. He has been on the Bengals roster since 2021 but has yet to be used as a backup.

The Bengals added quarterback Reid Sinnett to the practice squad on Friday. The Bengals need someone else after former backup Will Grier left the practice squad last week and signed with the New England Patriots. Sinnett spent some time in Bengals training camp when Burrow was initially sidelined with a calf injury. But he did not make the final 53-man roster.

Bengals’ Burrow bet busted

Burrow and the training staff will make a final decision during warmups on Monday. Burrow would play with a calf injury if he felt he could do something positive.

On the prediction line, the Bengals are -6 against the Rams. Last Tuesday, when it was announced that Burrow would likely miss Week 3 against the Rams with a calf injury, the limit dropped to -1.5.

The Bengals/Rams line has moved several times since Tuesday, returning to -3. Spreads have fluctuated between -2.5 and -2 over the past 24 hours. DraftKings currently has the Bengals at -2, but South Point Casino in Las Vegas has the Bengals at -2 with 5 listed.

The Rams are without All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp on the roster as he is on IR with a hamstring injury. Rookie wide receiver Pukanacua caught the eye with a stunning start while backing up Kupp. Pacqua caught 25 balls for 266 yards in the first two games of the season, and the rookie developed a strong friendship with quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Rams traded running back Cam Akers to the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. Sophomore running back Kyren Williams beat Akers for the starting job and has been another bright spot for the Rams so far this season.

The Ravens (2-1) and Browns (2-1) are co-favorites to win the AFC North at +195 odds. The Steelers (2-1) are +350 to win the AFC North, while the Bengals are +450 to win the division.

The Bengals' future took a turn for the worse after Burrow aggravated a calf injury. After an 0-2 start, their Super Bowl 58 odds dropped to +1800, and the AFC Championship odds are now +1000.