A photo of Cincinnati Bengals rookie receiver Jermaine Burton at a local casino has gone viral, sparking controversy after he was a healthy scratch during Sunday’s game amidst reports that he missed the team’s final walkthrough the day before. The image, which shows Burton playing a slot machine at the Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati, has led to a wave of speculation regarding the timing of his visit.
Currently, there is little context available about the photo, as neither the Bengals organization nor Burton’s agent has responded to inquiries about when it was taken. The lack of clarity around the timeline has left many wondering whether Burton might have been gambling late Friday night or in the early hours of Saturday morning—at a time when his focus should have been on the team’s final walkthrough before their game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Burton was expected to have a significant role in Sunday’s matchup due to star wide receiver Tee Higgins’ ongoing quad injury. With Higgins sidelined, the Bengals were counting on Burton to step up, making his absence even more notable.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor spoke to reporters after the team’s 41-24 win over the Raiders but chose not to reveal too much regarding Burton’s benching. He characterized the decision as a “necessary step.”
“We just got to handle our business the right way, and so I can sit here and say it was a difficult decision to make him inactive, but it was absolutely the right decision with all the information we had,” Taylor said. “He’s a guy who’s going to have, I think, a really good career here, and we’re going to support him. And he wants to help us win and do things the right way.”
Although he did not play, Burton was present at Sunday’s game, notably wearing pajama bottoms on the sidelines. At one point, he appeared to have a tense exchange with quarterback Joe Burrow, who seemed visibly frustrated during and after the game. In the locker room following the win, Burrow’s irritation was evident as he addressed his teammates, preparing them for the upcoming divisional matchup.
“Get your f***ing bodies right, get your minds right,” Burrow was heard shouting. “It’s a big one on Thursday,” referring to the Bengals’ game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Taylor added that Burton is expected to return to practice this week and will play on Thursday night in Baltimore. The Bengals head coach was optimistic about Burton’s future, indicating that the incident was a learning opportunity and that the team remains committed to helping Burton reach his potential.
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The situation surrounding Burton has brought renewed attention to his character concerns, which were rumored before he entered the NFL. During his time at Alabama, Burton was involved in a controversial incident where he was accused of striking a female fan after Alabama’s loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. Then-head coach Nick Saban addressed the issue, stating that Burton’s biggest challenge was “emotional maturity.”
Despite these challenges, Joe Burrow has largely been supportive of Burton, praising his potential. “I think Jermaine is going to be a great player—he’s just got to do the little things right,” Burrow said, reiterating his belief in the young receiver’s abilities.
Burton began his college career at the University of Georgia before transferring to Alabama, where he played a key role in helping the Crimson Tide win a national championship in 2021. His talent was evident during his college years, which led to the Bengals selecting him in the third round of last April’s NFL Draft.
So far, Burton has struggled to make an impact in the NFL, recording just two catches over seven games, though both catches went for over 40 yards, showcasing his big-play potential.
The Bengals, now sitting at 4-5 on the season, are looking to build on their recent win as they prepare for a critical matchup against the Ravens. The team hopes Burton can put the controversy behind him and contribute in a meaningful way moving forward.
For Burton, this week represents an opportunity for redemption—a chance to show his coaches, teammates, and fans that he is committed to doing things the right way and making the most of his talent in the NFL.
