If you were looking for any confirmation that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will start the season opener in Cleveland, head coach Zac Taylor isn’t ready — or perhaps not willing — to provide it.
“Just taking it day-to-day right now,” Taylor said.
Despite anyone’s willingness to confirm it, all signs point to Burrow starting against the Browns.
Will Joe Burrow Start Week 1 vs. the Cleveland Browns?
Burrow returned to practice Thursday from a 34-day absence with the calf strain. One day later, Burrow’s return dominated the line of questioning during Taylor’s news conference ahead of the team’s final practice before the holiday weekend.
“I don’t think there’s a defined checklist we need to see,” Taylor said when asked what he’s looking for to know Burrow will be ready to go Sept. 10. “It was just good to get him out with the team and calling plays in the huddle and all that good stuff at practice. I think that was encouraging for everybody.”
“It certainly energizes the team when you get a chance to get your starting quarterback back there, so I thought he looked good,” Taylor added.
By returning this week, Burrow will get six practices and six walkthroughs to get ready for Week 1.
“We’ve had a timeline that we’ve operated by for a long time now, and it’s just part of that timeline,” Taylor said.
Burrow getting his timing down and getting more reps with newcomers Irv Smith Jr., Charlie Jones, Andrei Iosivas, and running back Chase Brown will be an important part of his progress for the next several days.
“It’s important,” Taylor said. “Every quarterback is a little different in how the ball comes out of the hands and the timing. It didn’t look like he missed many practices.”
Moving into the non-injury portion of the newser, Taylor was asked what he’s most looking forward to seeing from Burrow this year.
“Winning,” he said.
