Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star quarterback, has unfortunately faced injuries throughout his young NFL career, leading fans and analysts to question how many games he’s actually missed. Following a recent wrist injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season, this question becomes even more pertinent for understanding Burrow’s impact and the Bengals’ journey. Let’s delve into a detailed look at Joe Burrow’s career and the games he’s had to sit out.
Joe Burrow’s NFL Career and Injury History: Games Missed Breakdown
Burrow entered the NFL with immense hype as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he quickly demonstrated his franchise quarterback potential. However, his career trajectory hasn’t been without setbacks, primarily due to injuries sustained on the field. To accurately answer “how many games has Joe Burrow missed,” we need to break down his absences season by season, examining the reasons behind them.
2020 Season: Rookie Year Cut Short by Knee Injury
Burrow’s rookie season in 2020 showcased his talent but was tragically cut short in Week 11 against the Washington Football Team. In this game, Burrow suffered a devastating knee injury – a torn ACL and MCL, along with other structural damage. This significant injury forced him to miss the remaining six games of the 2020 season. Prior to this injury, Burrow had started all 10 games for the Bengals, showing promise despite playing behind a struggling offensive line. This knee injury was a major blow to both Burrow and the Bengals franchise, halting a promising rookie campaign.
Alt text: Joe Burrow injury 2020 – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback grimaces in pain on the field after suffering a severe knee injury during a game against the Washington Football Team.
2023 Season: Calf Strain and Season-Ending Wrist Injury
Entering the 2023 season, Burrow faced another setback during training camp with a calf strain. This injury lingered into the regular season, causing him to miss a significant portion of training camp and impacting his performance in the initial weeks. While he didn’t miss any regular season games due to the calf strain directly, it undoubtedly affected his mobility and effectiveness in the early part of the season, contributing to the Bengals’ slow start.
Later in the 2023 season, in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, Burrow suffered a right wrist injury. Initially, the severity was unclear, but subsequent evaluations revealed a torn ligament in his right wrist. This injury was severe enough to require season-ending surgery, forcing Burrow to miss the remaining seven games of the 2023 season. This marked another significant period of absence for the Bengals’ star quarterback.
Alt text: Joe Burrow wrist injury 2023 – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow walking off the field after sustaining a right wrist injury during a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Total Games Missed by Joe Burrow:
Adding up the games missed due to injury, we can calculate the total:
- 2020 Season (Knee Injury): 6 games
- 2023 Season (Wrist Injury): 7 games
Therefore, Joe Burrow has missed a total of 13 games in his NFL career due to significant injuries as of the end of the 2023 season. It’s important to note that this count only includes games missed due to injury. While the calf strain in 2023 hampered his early season performance, it did not cause him to miss any games directly.
Impact of Burrow’s Absences on the Bengals
Joe Burrow’s presence is undeniably crucial to the Cincinnati Bengals’ success. As highlighted in the original article, with Burrow, the Bengals are Super Bowl contenders, having secured consecutive division titles and an AFC Championship. His absence significantly alters the team’s trajectory and playoff aspirations.
In both the 2020 and 2023 seasons, Burrow’s injuries derailed promising Bengals campaigns. The team struggled to maintain competitiveness without their starting quarterback, emphasizing his value to the franchise. Backup quarterbacks, while capable, couldn’t replicate Burrow’s skill set and leadership, leading to diminished offensive output and overall team performance.
Quarterback Vulnerability in the Modern NFL
Burrow’s injuries also contribute to the broader narrative of quarterback vulnerability in today’s NFL, as discussed in the original article. The league is witnessing a concerning trend of quarterbacks, including high-profile names like Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins, suffering significant injuries. This trend underscores the physical demands of the position and the constant risk quarterbacks face, despite rule changes intended to protect them. Factors such as faster defensive rushers and injuries along the offensive line contribute to this increased vulnerability.
Conclusion: A Significant Number of Games Missed
In conclusion, Joe Burrow, through the 2023 NFL season, has missed 13 games due to injuries. These missed games represent significant setbacks for both Burrow personally and the Cincinnati Bengals organization. As he continues his career, staying healthy will be paramount for Burrow to achieve his full potential and lead the Bengals to sustained success. The question of “how many games has Joe Burrow missed” highlights not only his injury history but also underscores the critical importance of a franchise quarterback’s health in the modern NFL.
