Football is a brutal game. One second, you’re on top of the world as the top rookie in the league and the next, you’re being carted off the field with a season-ending injury. The Cincinnati Bengals incurred another bad beat when they lost quarterback Joe Burrow to a gruesome knee injury. Burrow tore both his ACL and MCL, and will miss the remainder of the season.
In the third quarter against Washington, two defensive players smushed Burrow on a third-and-short passing play. Defensive tackle Johnathan Allen, who was a former first-round pick from Alabama in 2017, hit Burrow in the right knee. Washington D-lineman Montez Sweat also sandwiched Burrow. Burrow’s body was twisted up and he fell to the ground withering in pain.
“All I heard was the yelling,” said Washington rookie Chase Young. “He held his knee. You never want to see that. I was hurting because I know Joe. I wanted to keep playing against Joe. You just never want to see that happen to anybody.”
Medical staff carted Burrow off the field, but players from both teams gathered around to send him off, including Young.
Washington won 20-9 and the Bengals sunk to 2-7-1. The victory put Washington (3-7) back in contention for the NFC East crown. All four teams in the worst division in the NFL have three wins and the division title is wide open heading into Week 12.
Burrow oh no. pic.twitter.com/8x2dxIT3BU
— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) November 22, 2020
Almost Rookie of Year
Burrow won a national championship with the LSU Tigers last season. He earned the Heisman Trophy as the top collegiate player and then went #1 in the 2020 NFL Draft when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the top pick.
The Bengals got off to a slow start this season and were 2-6-1 heading into Week 11. Despite the sluggish start and losing record, the Bengals were one of the better teams in the NFL against the spread. When the Bengals lost games, they at least kept the score close.
Burrow was on the cusp of history. He was attempting to become the first rookie in NFL history to secure six 300-plus yard passing games. He had just 203 yards before leaving the game prematurely with the knee injury.
Burrow played like a rookie at times, but he also steadily improved in each game.
“He was making improvements every week and we were getting the offense headed in a direction that we thought was exciting,” said head coach Zac Taylor.
Burrow was listed with LA Chargers QB Justin Herbert as a co-favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now that Burrow is dunzo for the season, Herbert becomes the new favorite to win the ROY.
“Thanks for all the love,” tweeted Burrow. “Can’t get rid of me that easy. See ya next year.”
Despite the setback, Burrow expects to bounce back after the injury. Numerous players recover from ACL injuries, especially quarterbacks.
Thanks for all the love. Can’t get rid of me that easy. See ya next year✊
— Joey Burrow (@JoeyB) November 22, 2020
