The AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals acquired’t play quarterback Joe Burrow within the accepted-season finale against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to invent obvious he’s healthy for the first spherical of the playoffs.
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Burrow is nursing aches and anguish, in conjunction with his trusty knee and pinky finger on his throwing hand, but mentioned he’s going to possess performed this week had it been vital. Coach Zac Taylor advised the quarterback earlier within the week that he would sit Sunday.
“I suspect any time you would discover a minute bit of damage at this level within the season,” Burrow mentioned Wednesday. “You appreciate, we performed moderately plenty of games, our bodies are beginning to wear down a minute bit of bit. You would relaxation me this week and discover my body aid to where it wants to be so I might be full strength, running across the skill I possess to be for Week 1 of the playoffs.”
Working aid Joe Mixon and other Cincinnati starters will doubtless be sidelined thanks to reserve/COVID-19 protocols, but wants to be aid for the playoffs. They additionally consist of defensive hand over and sacks chief Trey Hendrickson, defensive lineman B.J. Hill, heart Trey Hopkins, guard Quinton Spain and security Vonn Bell.
If the gamers don’t possess signs, they’re eligible to attain off the listing after 5 days.
Taylor mentioned it’s that you would take into accout that megastar rookie receiver Ja’Marr Trot additionally will doubtless be rested Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) scrambles against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) for the length of the first half of of an NFL football sport, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati.
(AP Represent/Jeff Dean)
“I’m able to now not invent a prediction on the quantity of starters (who will doubtless be held out),” Taylor mentioned. “I’m able to utterly instruct for Joe (Burrow), we will relaxation him this week and invent obvious he’s 100% prepared to lumber. I know he’s felt correct and might play if wished but I appropriate made the option that we’re going to relaxation him this week.”
The third-seeded Bengals can abet their position with a hang over the Browns (7-9) on Sunday and a few aid from other groups. Burrow’s backup, Brandon Allen, can possess of challenge to discover his first important playing time of the season.
The beginning quarterbacks for both groups will doubtless be watching from the sidelines. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield has already been dominated out of the game so he can prepare for surgical treatment on his non-throwing shoulder. Cleveland has been eradicated from the playoffs.
“We’re attempting to snatch this sport,” Taylor mentioned. “We possess now to beat Cleveland. And the fellows who’re going to receive the enviornment, that’s what we are looking ahead to from their performance and from our performance as a training workers.
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Burrow limped off the enviornment unhurried within the wild 34-31 hang over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday that clinched the first division title and playoff appearance for the Bengals (10-6) for the reason that 2015 season. He’s been sacked 51 times this season.
“I’m aloof planning on getting the total throws I have to discover in practice,” Burrow mentioned. “I suspect practice is the motive we were on this sort of roll, on story of we’re this sort of correct practice crew and we persisted to discover these reps banked for the length of that week that permits us to exit there and set on Sunday. So I’m going to abet getting those reps in practice.”
