Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is progressing well in his recovery from November wrist surgery, coach Zac Taylor said at league meetings on Tuesday.
“It’s positive,” Taylor said. “It’s right on schedule, and so we’re encouraged with everything we thought it was going to be and where he’s going to fit into our offseason.”
Burrow said in early March that he expects to participate in the Bengals’ offseason program this spring.
“I think middle of May is when I am expecting to kind of be cleared for full contact and everything,” Burrow told ESPN at the time.
Along with the torn wrist ligament that required surgery, Burrow also dealt with a calf injury suffered during training camp and played a role in the Bengals’ tough start.
While Burrow has been busy working toward a return, the Bengals have made some significant changes on the offensive side of the ball. With the trade of Joe Mixon the Houston Texans, Zack Moss is the new starting running back. Cincinnati also brought in Trent Brown to play right tackle, while former quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher replaced Brian Callahan as the offensive coordinator when Callahan left to coach the Tennessee Titans.
While it appears Tyler Boyd will sign elsewhere, fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade at the start of the free agency period rather than sign an extension. However, it seems Taylor and the Bengals aren’t planning to move the veteran.
“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor told Pro Football Network this week. “We think he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years and expect this year to be no different.”
In his four seasons, Burrow has completed 68 percent of his passes for 14,083 yards and 97 touchdowns in 52 games. He led Cincinnati to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2021 season, when he led the league with a 70.4 percent completion rate.
In September, Burrow signed a five-year contract extension worth $275 million. The $55 million average annual value is the highest recorded in the NFL.
The Bengals finished last season 9-8, last in the AFC North, and missed the postseason after consecutive runs to at least the conference title game.
