NFL looking into Joe Burrow's absence on injury report

Field Level Media|published: Fri 17th November, 10:34 2023

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The Bengals fell to the Ravens, 34-20. credits: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The NFL wants to know why quarterback Joe Burrow did not show up on the Cincinnati Bengals' injury report before Thursday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

A league official confirmed to ESPN on Friday morning that an investigation is underway into the wrist injury that knocked Burrow out of the game in the second quarter of a 34-20 loss.

A video posted by the Bengals on X on Wednesday night — and later deleted — showed Burrow getting off the team bus with a protective wrap on his right hand.

The NFL is checking into Cincinnati's compliance with the league's injury report policy. Potential punishments for violations include hefty team fines or even lost draft picks.

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said he was unaware of Burrow dealing with an injury to his right wrist prior to the game in Baltimore.

"This was the first I saw anything about it," Taylor said postgame.

Burrow went to the locker room after leading the visiting Bengals on a go-ahead drive in the second quarter. His pinky appeared to be bent awkwardly, and the QB spent several minutes in the medical tent.

Burrow bent over in obvious pain after throwing a 4-yard touchdown to Joe Mixon with 5:49 left in the second quarter for a 10-7 lead.

Before exiting, Burrow was 11-for-17 for 101 yards and the touchdown to Mixon. Jake Browning took over at quarterback for Cincinnati's next offensive series, and he finished 8-for-14 for 68 yards and a touchdown.

The Bengals fell to 5-5 this season, during which Burrow has compiled the lowest passer rating since his rookie year in 2020. He has completed 244 of 365 passes (66.8 percent) for 2,309 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions.

—Field Level Media