Joe Burrow has missed 14 games due to injury in his NFL career.
The Cincinnati Bengals faithful always hold their breath when Joe Burrow takes a hit. It’s a natural reaction, given the team’s reliance on him. The question of how many games has Joe Burrow missed due to injury often pops up in discussions among fans and analysts alike. His health directly impacts the Bengals’ chances each season, making any absence a significant talking point. His injury history is a concern for many, highlighting the importance of protecting their franchise quarterback.
How Many Games Has Joe Burrow Missed Due to Injury?
Joe Burrow, the star quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, is known for his amazing throws and leadership on the field. But like any football player, he’s faced injuries that have kept him off the field. It’s natural for fans to wonder just how many games Joe Burrow has missed due to injuries. Let’s explore the times Joe has had to sit out because he got hurt.
Burrow’s Early NFL Injury Challenges
Joe Burrow’s NFL career started with a big bang, but it also had some early hurdles. His rookie season in 2020 was cut short by a very serious knee injury. This happened in Week 11 of the season, which was a big setback for him and the Bengals. The injury was a significant one. It wasn’t just a bump or bruise. It involved several parts of his knee and required surgery and a long recovery. Let’s break down what happened during that time:
- The Injury: Joe suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament), and other damage to his knee during a game against the Washington Football Team.
- Impact on the Season: This injury ended his 2020 season prematurely. He could not participate in the remaining games and the Bengals struggled without their starting quarterback.
- Recovery: His recovery was intense, involving physical therapy and a lot of hard work. It took months of rehab to get back in shape to play again.
That 2020 knee injury was the first big injury setback that caused Joe Burrow to miss games in his NFL career. It showed how tough it can be for a player to come back from a serious injury.
The 2020 Season: Games Missed Due to Knee Injury
Specifically, let’s look at how many games Joe Burrow missed in 2020 due to that knee injury. He was injured in Week 11. Here’s a quick look:
- Games Missed: Joe missed the remaining six games of the 2020 NFL regular season.
This was a tough period for the Bengals. They weren’t just missing a quarterback. They were missing their leader. The team’s performance was impacted and fans waited patiently for Joe’s return.
Dealing With Other Setbacks: 2021 and Beyond
After the intense rehab from his knee injury, Joe Burrow came back strong. He played very well in the 2021 season. Although he had a couple of minor setbacks during practice, these did not cause him to miss any regular season games. He stayed pretty healthy throughout the 2021 season. It is worth noting that in 2021, he did sit out one game, against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18. This was not due to injury. He was rested for the playoffs. He played well in the playoffs. But the good health did not continue. There were more instances where injuries caused him to miss games.
2022 Season: Minor but Impactful Missed Time
The 2022 season saw Joe Burrow deal with some smaller issues, though these issues were not as severe as the 2020 knee injury. These minor issues caused him to miss part of the game and one full game. These issues still had an effect.
- Calf Strain: Joe strained his calf in a practice leading into the season.
- Week 1: The Bengals played against the Cleveland Browns. He played in this game but struggled with his calf.
- Week 2: He re-aggravated the same calf strain. He missed this game because of it, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Though these minor injuries were not as serious as what occurred in 2020, they were enough to keep him off the field. The Bengals needed to ensure that he did not get hurt more seriously. It was important that he healed up. Each game he missed, however, had an effect on the team’s performance and season.
2023 Season: A New Calf Injury
The 2023 season brought new challenges for Joe Burrow regarding his health. In training camp, Joe had another calf injury. This caused concern because calf injuries can take time to heal. It was the same calf that had bothered him previously. This was not an entirely new injury. It was a re-aggravation of the older injury. Let’s look at how this affected his game time:
- Pre-Season Setback: Joe sustained another calf strain in training camp, raising concerns about the start of the season.
- Week 1-4: Though he played in these games, it was clear that he wasn’t 100% healthy. He was not mobile and that limited some of his abilities.
- Week 11: Joe sustained a wrist injury in the game against the Baltimore Ravens.
- Games Missed: Because of the wrist injury, he missed the remaining seven games of the 2023 regular season.
This wrist injury was yet another setback for Burrow, and it was disappointing news for the Bengals and their fans. The wrist injury and the earlier calf injury created a difficult season. These injuries prevented the team from achieving what they hoped for. This caused Joe to miss a substantial portion of the season again.
Summary of Missed Games
Let’s put it all together and see the number of games Joe Burrow has missed due to injuries in his NFL career:
| Year | Type of Injury | Games Missed |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Knee (ACL, MCL, and other damage) | 6 |
| 2022 | Calf Strain | 1 |
| 2023 | Wrist injury | 7 |
| Total | 14 |
As you can see, while he has had some very solid seasons, injuries have kept Joe out of the games. He missed 6 games in 2020, 1 game in 2022, and 7 games in 2023. That’s a total of 14 games missed due to injury. This total doesn’t include games he sat out due to rest or other reasons not related to injuries.
Impact on the Bengals
Joe Burrow’s injuries have had a significant effect on the Cincinnati Bengals. The team’s success is heavily dependent on having their star quarterback healthy and on the field. His absence has impacted the team’s:
- Offensive Performance: When Joe is not playing, the team’s scoring and ability to move the ball often go down.
- Team Morale: As the team’s leader, his absence can impact team spirit. Joe’s energy and skill are hard to replace.
- Overall Record: It is not uncommon for a team’s win-loss record to suffer when a key player is missing.
- Playoff Hopes: The playoffs are often more difficult without a healthy quarterback.
The team has had to adapt to different strategies and has had to rely on backups when Joe is not able to play. Still, having Joe healthy and ready to play is key to a successful Bengals season.
Burrow’s Resilience
Despite these injuries, Joe Burrow has shown incredible toughness and determination. He’s come back from serious injury. He has had to go through intense physical rehabilitation to be able to return to his form. His resilience is apparent to fans and analysts alike. He continues to perform at a high level when he is healthy. It’s important to remember that while injuries are a part of football, Joe Burrow has shown he is able to overcome them.
Joe Burrow is a very talented quarterback. Like all athletes, he’s faced injuries that have kept him out of some games. These injuries have been a challenge for both Joe and the Bengals. By understanding how many games he has missed due to injury, fans can see the whole picture of his career. Despite the setbacks, Joe Burrow has always come back fighting. He continues to be an important part of the Bengals team.
Joe Burrow 2024 Season Highlights
Final Thoughts
Joe Burrow’s career has seen some setbacks due to injuries. He has unfortunately missed games crucial for his team. He’s a vital player, and his absence is always felt.
So far, Joe Burrow has missed a total of 17 games because of injury. The question of how many games has joe burrow missed due to injury is significant. These missed games highlight the impact injuries can have on a football team.
