Joe Burrow could be inactive for the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 3 “Monday Night Football” contest against the Los Angeles Rams — and possibly longer.
According to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, Burrow could end up on short-term injured reserve, which would sideline him for at least four games.
Burrow originally strained his calf muscle July 27, which sidelined him for most of training camp and all of preseason, effectively limiting his preparation for the Bengals’ 2023 campaign.
Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase said that if it were up to him, Burrow wouldn’t play until he’s 100 percent.
“I told him back then, don’t play until you 100 percent ready to play,” Chase said when asked of Burrow’s status.
Asked if he thought Burrow was 100 percent, Chase answered: “I doubt it.”
Chase also said on whether or not he expects Burrow to play Monday: “If I had to guess, I would say no. I’m saying no because I been told him no.”
Burrow, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bengals, re-aggravated his calf injury in last week’s 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
The LSU and Ohio State alum has been limited to just 304 passing yards in two games, completing just 41-of-72 attempts through the air, giving him a completion percentage of a little less than 57 percent.
The Athens, Ohio native also has thrown just two touchdowns so far this year and has a QBR of 48.3, which would be the worst of his career.
As a precaution, the Bengals signed former backup AJ McCarron to their practice squad.
McCarron, 33, was originally drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 Draft and played with the team through the 2017 season.
Following stints with the then Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons, McCarron most recently played quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL earlier this year.