Joe Burrow is back.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback returned to game action Saturday for the first time since suffering a season-ending wrist injury last November, and he did not disappoint.
Burrow saw just one drive in his first game back but made the most of it, completing five of his seven passes for 51 yards and a march-sealing touchdown toss to Tee Higgins. Burrow completed passes to four different wideouts and led Cincy to five first downs on its first drive of a 17-14 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After months of rehab, recovery and self-doubt, Burrow was pleased but not satisfied with his 12 plays on Saturday night.
“Still some work to do, but it was nice to be back out there,” Burrow said after the game. “Scored that touchdown, had a little help. It was a nice start.”
Burrow didn't endure a single knock in his lone drive of preseason action, a blessing and a curse for a QB trying to get back in the swing of things. He told reporters that he wouldn't mind getting hit by defenders in Cincinnati's upcoming preseason action.
"It would probably help me mentally more than anything," Burrow said, via ESPN's Ben Baby. "Just understanding falling can hurt. Just get that thing hit one time before you're out there in a real game."
How much Burrow will play in the Bengals' next two August games remains to be seen. Burrow has rarely played in the preseason, either due to injury and veteran privilege. Burrow said the call on his gameday availability over the next 11 days will be coach Zac Taylor's.
The sixth-year coach said Saturday that Burrow looked back to his normal self in his limited action against Tampa Bay.
“I thought he was in control and saw the defense really well,” Taylor said, via The Associated Press. “I thought he handled it really well, and those guys made plays for him.”
Burrow and the Bengals will next take the field for preseason play against the Bears on Saturday, Aug. 17.