Bengals Depth Chart: If Joe Burrow can’t play tonight, who will start at QB for Cincinnati?

Heading into MNF vs. the Rams tonight, there are questions about who will start at QB for the Bengals. Joe Burrow has been dealing with an ongoing calf injury. It’s been giving him trouble since training camp and he reaggravated the injury in their Week 2 loss vs. Baltimore. 

Burrow is listed as questionable for Week 3 vs. the Rams. The Bengals’ chances to win would be close to nonexistent if their Pro Bowl QB cannot play. Cincinnati would be stuck starting an undrafted free agent if Burrow is unavailable. Right now, Burrow is a game-time decision for the Bengals.

The Bengals will be in rough shape at QB if Joe Burrow cannot play vs. the Rams

The real question today is:

WILL JOE BURROW PLAY OR NOT??🤬 pic.twitter.com/MDaHFQhzTs

— Zardiax (@zardiaax) September 25, 2023

During training camp, Joe Burrow injured his calf in a non-contact injury. The 26-year-old sat out for nearly six weeks letting his calf rest, but he reaggravated the injury in Week 2. Calf injuries are one of the trickiest in the NFL. They can seriously affect a player’s mobility and speed. While Burrow is more of a pocket passer, he still needs to be able to be mobile at times.

After just signing the richest deal by a QB in NFL history, Burrow has been rather disappointing for the Bengals. He only has 41 completed passes this season for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. While Burrow hasn’t been great himself, their options after him are not much better.

From @GMFB: #Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo evaluated for a concussion; #Saints QB Derek Carr avoids major injury, could still miss time; Chargers WR Mike Williams feared to have a serious, potentially season-ending knee injury; & #Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s status still up in the air. pic.twitter.com/zdWb36ldLt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2023

If Burrow is unavailable vs. the Rams, the Bengals’ backup QB is undrafted rookie, Jake Browning. He played collegiately at Washington and has appeared in one game for Cincinnati this season. With the Burrow’s injury, the Bengals have also elevated practice squad QB A.J. McCarron to the 53-man roster. We’ll have to wait and see if Burrow will be ready to play in Week 3.