The NFL is said to be conducting an investigation into the Cincinnati Bengals to determine if they have violated the league’s injury report policy, with the focus on Joe Burrow’s wrist injury incident. The scrutiny arose when Burrow was observed wearing a black brace on his wrist upon disembarking from the team plane in Baltimore. Adding to the speculation, the Bengals initially posted footage of Burrow but later removed it before the game. Notably, Burrow was not listed on the injury report leading up to the game.
During the second quarter of their 34-20 loss, Burrow sustained a wrist injury from a hit, leading to the discovery post-game that he tore a ligament, ruling him out for the rest of the season. Burrow, however, asserts that the brace he wore had no connection to the game injury.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter outlined the steps of the investigation on “The Pat McAfee Show,” explaining that the league will consult Bengals officials regarding Burrow’s absence from the injury report and request video footage of the practices to assess his condition.
The NFL enforces a stringent injury report policy, requiring all teams to release a practice report that accurately describes a player’s injury status and practice participation level. Even if a player is certain to play, any reportable injuries must be listed. Violations can result in fines for the team or coach, and in severe cases, a lost draft pick. Schefter suggests that potential fines in this case could be substantial.
Burrow clarified that the black brace was a compression sleeve, a common practice for players to wear on a plane to prevent swelling at higher altitudes. The investigation, expected to take multiple weeks, will determine if the Bengals violated league rules.
Schefter noted the conflicting perspectives, with the Bengals claiming innocence while others question their actions. Joe Burrow, unfortunately, is starting to gain a reputation for injury proneness, a label that can be detrimental for any football player.
