An NFL insider has provided insights into the investigation surrounding Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow’s hand injury and the potential consequences for the team.
The league is looking into whether the Bengals failed to disclose Burrow’s hand injury before the Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens, which could result in significant disciplinary action against the franchise.
Before the Thursday Night Football matchup, images surfaced of Burrow wearing what appeared to be a soft cast on his right hand as he disembarked from the team plane. The Bengals later deleted the image after Burrow sustained a season-ending injury during the game.
Burrow, when questioned about the hand wrap after the game, attributed it to a compression sleeve commonly worn by NFL players during flights to mitigate swelling at high altitudes.
Nevertheless, on Friday, the NFL initiated an investigation to determine if Burrow had a pre-existing hand issue before taking the field against the Ravens and if the injury was not properly disclosed on the official injury report, a violation of league compliance rules.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, sources within the league indicate that the NFL is treating the matter seriously. However, the investigation is expected to take time, and no specific timeline for a resolution has been provided.
There is a precedent for penalties related to non-compliance with NFL injury reporting guidelines. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers were fined $75,000, with head coach Mike Tomlin fined $25,000 for failing to disclose an injury that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was playing through.
Russini notes that if the NFL finds that the Bengals coaching staff withheld information about Burrow’s injury, the team could face a substantial fine. The inquiry will involve scrutinizing photos and videos capturing team practices.
Comparatively, if the NFL determines that the Bengals were not in compliance with league rules, the potential fine could exceed that imposed on the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is emphasized that the NFL’s focus on maintaining the integrity of the game, particularly in the context of partnerships with sportsbooks, is crucial for the league’s long-term revenue goals.
In a related development, the NFL is also investigating the Atlanta Falcons for their handling of Bijan Robinson’s headaches and the failure to list him on the injury report before the Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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