Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow underwent surgery for an appendix injury in late July. Weeks later, he was seen in the team’s practice this week. Burrow later said the injury was much more severe than initially thought, saying it ruptured last month. It prompted the surgery and prolonged his stay off-field.
During team practice this week, Burrow was only allowed to make a few throws, and most of the time, he observed his teammates from a medical cart. The QB will return to the team for the 11-on-11 drills next Wednesday.
Appendectomies are a relatively common procedure in the NFL, and players usually return to the field not long after. Burrow was initially expected to miss a few days following his recovery. However, Burrow will likely miss the remaining preseason games.
“It wasn’t normal appendicitis that you hear about,” Burrow said. “I didn’t really feel much. Just getting checked out and had some discomfort so we thought we’d get it checked out. Turns out I had it. So we had to get it fixed.”
Burrow’s first post-surgery practice
The Bengals were strict with Burrow as he was not allowed to throw until the practice on Sunday. During his first official practice, the 25-year-old threw a few reps in a 7-on-7 drill. Although he lacked in velocity, ESPN’s Ben Baby reported, Burrow seemed confident with his return.
“You’re in a hospital for however many days and you start to feel like a sick person. So you want to get back out with the guys and feel healthy again,” he said.
“When they cut into you and do all that stuff your core is going to lose some muscle and some strength just getting that back.”
Reports hold that Burrow lost weight after the surgery, but he refrained from disclosing the exact numbers. As Burrow is expected not to play in the remaining preseason games, he will be focusing on regaining strength and returning to his pre-surgery playing form. The team is looking to get him back in shape ahead of the season opener with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I think it will be OK. We have a good plan as far as nutrition and weight room and all that stuff. I feel good right now and just going to keep feeling better,” Burrow said.
Burrow was a product of the LSU Tigers. He debuted with the Bengals after he, alongside 57 other young players, was invited to the 2020 NFL Draft. Cincinnati drafted him first overall and inked a four-year $36.1 million rookie contract in late July that year.
His rookie year in the big league was filled with many uncertainties. During the pandemic, the player made zero appearances in preseason games. Major knee surgery also affected his rookie career.
Nevertheless, the Iowa native said he was optimistic about next season.
“We’ll try again next year,” he said. “I’d like to have a normal offseason at some point. That would be great. Going into the season feeling as good as I can, but that hasn’t been the reality for three years. Make the most of what you got,” Burrow said.