Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced that he plans to have some starters, including quarterback Joe Burrow, play in the team’s opening preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. This will be a rare preseason appearance for Burrow, who has only played in one preseason game during his four previous NFL seasons due to injuries.
“I’m excited for it,” Burrow said. “I’m just excited to get these reps.”
Taylor did not specify the duration for which the starters will play on Saturday.
“The offense and the defense, I expect both sides to play, but we’ll look at what it looks like on both sides,” he said. “Because obviously, we’re down a few bodies on defense. I’ll allow for some flexibility as we get closer to the game and see what shakes out.”
Taylor mentioned that defensive end Cam Sample is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, while starting defensive ends Trey Hendrickson (chest bruise) and Sam Hubbard (knee) are day to day.
This game will be Burrow’s first live action since his 2023 season ended on November 10 due to a torn ligament in his throwing hand, which required surgery.
“I’m not where I want it to be, but I would say that about a lot of parts of our team right now,” Burrow said. “But that’s training camp. We are improving every single day. We got three weeks left to accumulate reps, to learn and grow from all of those. I’m really happy with where we’re at.”
The game against the Buccaneers will be an opportunity for Burrow and the Bengals to gain valuable preseason experience and prepare for the upcoming NFL season.
