Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow Hints at Potential Early Retirement Due to Injuries
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made a startling remark about his thoughts following his latest season-ending injury, as he deals with torn ligaments in his right (throwing) wrist.
Joe Burrow’s History of Injuries
Burrow’s injury history is extensive and dates back to his college days. At Ohio State, he suffered a wrist fracture and at LSU, he tore rib cartilage. His NFL career has been plagued with injuries: he missed most of his rookie season in 2021 after tearing his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus. During the 2021 season, he also sustained minor injuries and sprained his MCL in the Super Bowl. Last year, a calf strain sidelined him for much of the preseason, and he aggravated this injury in Week 2. Burrow remained active until he injured his wrist in Week 11 of the 2023 season.
QB Reflects on “Football Mortality”
In comments transcribed by the NFL’s website on Tuesday, Burrow reflected on his “football mortality” due to the numerous injuries:
“Whenever the injuries start to stack up, your football mortality kind of comes into the back of your mind,” he said during mandatory minicamp practice. “That’s definitely something I’ve thought about and something I have had to fight through.”
Contemplating Retirement
Burrow acknowledged he is “built” to overcome these challenges but admitted that recurring injuries force him to limit his practice reps, affecting his performance. He also mentioned the mental toll injuries take:
“You always forget how hard it is coming back from injury — that’s every time it happens,” he remarked. “There are peaks where you feel great, and then you hit lows where you don’t. In the past, I pushed through those lows and caused problems for myself, and this year I’m not doing that.”
Parallels with Andrew Luck
Burrow’s situation recalls the early retirement of former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who retired after seven seasons due to the relentless cycle of injury and rehab.
Future Uncertainty
While Burrow is committed to returning to the field and leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl, he has acknowledged the possibility of an early retirement due to his injuries. The pressing question remains: how long can he keep such thoughts at bay if he suffers another significant injury?
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