During the 2024 offseason, Joe Burrow was being questioned by everyone. And the reason was right. The quarterback suffered a rare wrist injury in 2023. While the Bengals called him fit to start the season, it is sluggish as usual. For the last two seasons, they haven’t won their first match. The season opener against the Patriots in 2024 was no different. They lost 16-10, and it has opened a Pandora’s box with the signal caller as the center of criticism.

Talking about Burrow’s past of frequent injuries, former Cowboys DE Chris Canty was nasty towards the QB on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike Radio Show. Canty said, “When he’s fully healthy, I think there is no argument about his ability, but the problem is the inconsistency when it comes to being available for the team. At some point, you start to wonder if Bengals are going to get returns on that investment.” He touched a nerve there! Last year, Joe Cool signed a 5-year $275 million contract extension with the team, making him the best paid-QBs in the league.

However, rumors about his injury became rife after that viral Gatorade bottle situation. During the game against the Patriots, he was seen holding the bottle in a “weird” manner. When asked about it during the press conference after Wednesday’s practice, he brushed it aside calmly. During the game, he twirled and held his surgically repaired wrist multiple times, worrying the fans. The analyst is also uneasy with that.

Saying that he is selling all his Joe Burrow stocks, Canty said, “I am concerned about the version of Joe Burrow that we’re going to see from now until the end of this career because this [rare] wrist injury is something that we don’t have a lot of history with quarterbacks being able to bounce back in the NFL. So I’m not going to believe it until I see it.” While HC Zac Taylor has expressed confidence in his quarterback, these comments do not up Burrow’s stake in the market. The majority of NFL fans still consider him one of the best. However, Canty’s remarks aren’t a fluke.

We also wonder how much damage Joe Burrow can take. His 5-year NFL career (so far) has been riddled with injuries.

Joe Burrow’s injuries throughout his NFL career

In his rookie season (2020), Joe Cool suffered an ACL tear, MCL tear, PCL tear, and partial meniscus tear in his left knee. The following year, the quarterback dislocated his pinkie but thankfully, didn’t have to miss a game. In that same season, he suffered a knee strain grade 1 injury. The most heartbreaking was in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams. In the 4th quarter, Von Miller sacked him. Immediately, Burrow held his knee in pain. While he remained in the game, it might have cost them as they lost 23-20.

Speaking of injuries, the wrist injury could be a potential bump in his career. He suffered a similar injury when he played college football for Ohio State. Even then, surgery was done to treat it. However, he played as a backup quarterback before finding full form. This time, he wouldn’t get that much time. And he knows that.

The answer to all these injury questions is very simple. A win! But can he achieve it against their week 2 rival who is tougher and on a mission? Chiefs are on a quest for a 3-peat. Will Joe Burrow prove his worth or will Mahomes triumph? Stay connected, we will keep bringing all updates.