Bengals make QB move before Texans game amid Joe Burrow injury concern
The Cincinnati Bengals listed starting quarterback Joe Burrow as questionable to play the Houston Texans on their final injury report of Week 2.
Burrow is dealing with back tightness after taking a hit while scrambling for a first down in the Bengals’ 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. Burrow told reporters earlier in the week that he didn’t think the back issue would keep him from playing the Texans.
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Still, the Bengals made a move at quarterback on Saturday to help the offense in case the situation with Burrow worsens.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bengals elevated Josh Johnson from the practice squad to the active roster.
“With Joe Burrow listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Houston, the Bengals elevated QB Josh Johnson from their practice squad to their active roster,” Schefter posted on X.
In addition to Burrow and Johnson, Joe Flacco is on the 53-man roster. Johnson can serve as an emergency third option for the Bengals on Sunday.
Burrow told reporters the back injury was “normal game day soreness” and thought it was “ridiculous” he’d miss Sunday’s game.
“That’s ridiculous,” Burrow said, via the Bengals’ website. “I feel good. Some normal game day soreness, that’s for sure. But I’ll be all right … I’ll do what it takes to be out there. If I’m not having surgery, I’ll be out there.
“I don’t know specifically what play. I didn’t really start feeling it till after the game. That’s typically how it happens.”
Burrow went 25 of 35 passing for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Bengals’ win in Week 1. He added another 20 yards on five carries.
The Bengals will face a motivated Texans defense on Sunday that gave up 36 points in a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
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