It might sound quite strange for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to say he doesn’t want to see quarterback Joe Burrow on the field anytime soon.
However, it makes total sense when you realize how Burrow’s training camp has gone so far. In fact, Chase might be very much onto something.
The elite Bengals quarterback avoided a major injury during a recent camp session but still suffered a calf strain that will sideline him for several weeks.
Speaking with NFL Network, Chase said he wants Burrow to be as healthy as possible and is fine with him even resting his calf until Week 5 of the season.
“I told him, that with all honesty, I don’t want him there [during Week 1],” Chase said. “I told him, as long as you’re there after Week 5 and on, you know, we’re good, brother.”
Joe Burrow is playing Week 1, right?@Real10jayy__ on @nflnetwork:
“I told him, that with all honesty, I don’t want him there.” pic.twitter.com/0YbX8KHKTL
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) August 4, 2023
Chase pointed out that he missed a game last fall in a preventative fashion to help heal a hip injury last fall.
After all, no athlete wants to aggravate an injury that could heal during a time in the year when it’s not absolutely necessary for them to be on the field.
While Chase said that Burrow isn’t sure when he’ll return from his injury to start the season, it doesn’t sound like Chase (or anyone else in Cincinnati) will be all that upset if he needs time to get healthy to start the year.
If Burrow does indeed miss time, the Bengals have veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian, former Washington quarterback Jake Browning and XFL starter Reid Sinnett on the roster. Siemian would be most likely to start.
