Is Joe Burrow Injured or Healthy? Fantasy Football Injury Update

Is Joe Burrow injured or healthy? Will he be ready to play in Week 1? Should you have confidence starting him in fantasy football right away? Andersen Pickard answers these questions as the preseason continues.

The football world uttered a large groan when Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a non-contact injury during practice earlier this month. He was carted off the practice field and diagnosed with a calf injury, creating some initial skepticism about his availability for the preseason and even the start of the regular season.

Head coach Zac Taylor hadn't offered a whole lot of information and updates on Burrow's injury until meeting with the media on Tuesday.

What did Zac Taylor say? Is Joe Burrow healthy or injured? Will he be ready for Week 1?

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Is Joe Burrow Healthy Or Injured?

Since initially suffering his calf injury, we've heard reports out of Cincinnati saying that Burrow was able to ditch his leg sleeve and is making progress toward his ultimate recovery. However, we have yet to see him play in a game this preseason, and his availability on the practice field has been limited.

Taylor provided a positive update on Tuesday, telling reporters that Burrow "looks as good as he's ever looked." These comments indicate that Burrow's recovery has gone as well as the Bengals hoped, and it seems like his limited availability during training camp and absence from preseason games stems from an abundance of caution.

Will Joe Burrow Be Ready For Week 1?

We are two weeks away from the Bengals releasing their first practice report in preparation for their regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns. While plenty could change between now and then, Burrow is absolutely trending in the right direction and is on track to play Week 1. At this point, Burrow missing Week 1 would come as a surprise.

As far as fantasy football goes, if Burrow is on the field, he's a locked-and-loaded QB1. He's mobile enough to avoid sacks and make plays happen, has a strong throwing arm with advanced accuracy, and boosts his own production by playing with one of the league's best receiving corps.

Burrow is a top-five fantasy quarterback and should be started as such throughout the entire 2023 season.

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