Cincinnati Bengals injured starting quarterback Joe Burrow talked to reporters Nov. 10 about the team’s announcement of his return to practice on a limited basis.
The Bengals’ move started a 21-day period during which Burrow may begin limited practice with the team without counting against the 53-player active roster.
Burrow is eligible to be activated to the roster during the 21-day period.
“I just tossed around a little bit (today),” Burrow said. “You just talk to a lot of different people you talk to people that have been through it, get an understanding of what the injury is, and what the repair is and you just talk about it critically with the doctor and the physical therapist and everybody involved. And you just kind of take it day by day and see how it goes, see how it feels.”
Burrow was asked what happened when he was injured in Week 2 against Jacksonville.
“Just got stuck in the turf. Typical, typical turf-toe (injury),” Burrow said. “Just got bent back too far.”
Burrow was asked about his reaction to the injury.
“I knew it wasn’t great, when it happened,” Burrow said. “Typically I have a good feel for those, when it’s gonna be fine and when it’s not. Obviously I was incredibly sad, disappointed, frustrated, angry. All of the above. You feel sorry for yourself for a little bit. It’s easy for a couple days leading up to surgery and a couple weeks after when you can’t really do much. And then it’s time to get back at it.”
Burrow was asked whether he’s determined to play again this season, and whether the team’s next few results will make a difference, with regard to his return to game action.
“We’ll see how these next couple weeks go,” Burrow said. “There’s a lot that goes into it. There’s a lot of variables that you have to consider. We’re just gonna see how these next couple weeks go, see how it feels … and we’ll make a decision. There’s, like I said, a lot of variables that are gonna go into this. No. 1 is how it’s feeling and my health. So we’ll just take it day by day like we have been throughout the rehab process.”
Burrow was asked about his contributions to the team during his recovery.
“You try to do what you can, but it’s difficult when you’re not out there and you’re not around like you normally are,” Burrow said. “That’s a weird spot to be in. You try to do what you can, and also just grind by yourself in the weight room and in the training room and trying to get right. There’s not much more you can do. You’re not out there with the guys. You’re not at practice. So return from injury is pretty lonely.”
Burrow was asked about how backup Joe Flacco’s effort in his absence.
“I think he obviously has done a great job,” Burrow said. “You know I’ve had a lot of respect for him for a long time. He’s been on a lot of different teams for the last several years, and he always goes in and plays well, and puts the ball where it’s supposed to be. And he’s accurate, and does a lot of things really well. So it’s been fun to watch.”
Burrow was asked whether he’s been running or working on lower-body weightlifting.
“We’ve been lifting for a while at this point, and running for a couple weeks now,” Burrow said. “And so we felt good about my return to getting back on the field and testing it out.”
Burrow was asked whether he’s targeting a certain game for his return to game action.
“We have 21 days to figure that out,” Burrow said. “Could be early, could be late in that window. We’re still pretty early post-surgery for this injury, so we have a couple weeks of practice to figure that out and see where it goes.”
Burrow said he feels the team remains in playoff contention.
“Our division is wide open,” Burrow said. “Pittsburgh’s 5-4 at this point. We play them this week. Everything is still there in front of us. It’s very rare that our division looks like this. But it does this year. So I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.”
Burrow was asked whether he has a special shoe, or anything in the shoe, to try to prevent re-injury.
“Yes,” Burrow replied. “It’s an ongoing process. We’re figuring out what works for me. I have to have a lot of hardware in there to protect it. So there’s been a lot that goes into that, yeah.”
“I think he’s ready for this as part of the recovery, to come back on a limited basis and progress it on the field with the players,” Bengals head coach Taylor said earlier. “I think he’s at a good point. Internally, this was always a good timeline for us. He’s worked really hard to get to this point to get back on the field in a limited form. So I’m excited to get him out there today.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Take it day by day.’ Joe Burrow discusses his return to Bengals’ practice
Reporting by Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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