Joe Burrow didn't exit Week 1 completely unscathed.
The Bengals quarterback told reporters Wednesday he's dealing with back tightness following Cincinnati's Week 1 win over Tampa Bay, but he expects to play Sunday versus the Houston Texans.
Burrow appeared to be fine in Sunday's season-opening win, completing 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown while also throwing a pick-six. He couldn't identify when exactly he hurt his back during the game, telling reporters that he didn't start feeling discomfort until after the win, and didn't seem too concerned about the issue, adding "I'll be all right."
Burrow's injury history is a sensitive subject in Cincinnati. The franchise quarterback has missed significant time in three of his six NFL seasons, was forced out for most of last season due to a toe injury suffered in Week 2 and is understandably the most valuable player in the Bengals' organization, making his availability paramount to Cincinnati's chances of success. While many quarterbacks carry lofty statistical goals into each season, Burrow's includes another essential task: stay healthy.
Wednesday's development shouldn't incite panic. But for a player with Burrow's injury history, it's mildly unsettling in the middle of September.
