The Cincinnati Bengals clawed and scratched their way to a hard-fought win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They accomplished that feat even after losing their starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, to a leg injury in the second quarter. That win, led by a gritty effort from third-string quarterback Jake Browning, is a testament to this team’s depth and fight.
Burrow’s injury occurred with 8:36 left in the second quarter when he was sacked by Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead. This incident wasn’t an isolated one-off event. Even when Burrow had time, he was under immense pressure in this game, getting pressured on a third of his dropbacks and taking two sacks. His discomfort under pressure was obvious, as he often ended up fumbling through the midst of heap piles of fallen players.
Following the injury, Burrow attempted to walk back into the locker room but stopped roughly 15 feet short, seeking assistance from trainers. After a pass-heavy first half, Smith took a long evaluation in the blue injury tent before being ruled questionable to come back. Staff later determined him not to return for the rest of the game.
When it became a story of the power of resilience and unity, Browning took center stage. He kept the Bengals on top for the remainder of the game. With poise beyond his years, he led the offense to success.
“He went in there and made plays and took advantage of his opportunity,” – Mitchell Tinsley
Given the circumstances, there was no sunlight without Browning’s performance. He brought together the staff and players, giving them space to recover while restoring faith in a year lost without Burrow. Head Coach Zac Taylor spoke to the solidarity that the players came together to show at a very difficult juncture.
“They just looked each other in the eye in the second half and said, ‘We’re going to figure out a way to win this game,’ and that’s exactly what they did,” – Taylor
Aside from sharing his own injury woes, Burrow’s leadership shone through as he congratulated Browning on his efforts before departing the locker room. His mysterious condition became a source of worry for fans and teammates everywhere. After the game, Burrow exited Paycor Stadium on crutches. He was seen wearing a special protective boot on his left foot.
The Bengals’ offensive line struggled at times, contributing to Burrow’s difficulties. Center Ted Karras acknowledged their performance.
“We were not just winning enough of our 1-on-1s,” – Karras
Karras was plan well laid out to combat Jacksonville’s fierce defensive front. He said that while they had good master plans, their implementation was poor.
“I thought we had a decent plan to attack some of their fronts. But obviously not decent enough in execution,” – Karras
Burrow was seen visibly limping in the first half after hurting his left toe—known as turf toe—against the Bills. This previous injury only added to his struggles—exacerbated by the fact that Ndour suffered a much more severe leg injury afterwards.
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