The list of quarterbacks rated “elite” by the majority of the NFL has altered little, if at all, in recent seasons. The list clearly includes Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals.
But in his four NFL seasons, Burrow has had to deal with some significant injuries, and last year was a lost season for him due to two big ailments.
While Emmanuel Acho said on FS1’s “Speak” that he’s high on Burrow and considers Burrow the league’s second-best QB, he also said he’s concerned because if Burrow has the slightest injury issue, it would mean major problems for Cincinnati.
When he was a rookie, Burrow suffered a catastrophic knee injury in Week 11 that resulted in a torn MCL and ACL, as well as damage to his meniscus, and some were concerned about whether he would be able to bounce back and still play well.
Not only did he bounce back, but he led the NFL in completion percentage and yards per pass attempt in 2021 while winning the Comeback Player of the Year award.
That year, Burrow missed just one game, and he took the Bengals to the Super Bowl, where they narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Rams.
Last year, he sustained a calf strain early in training camp, and just when he was starting to overcome it and play well, he suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist during Week 11 that ended his season.
If he stays healthy, he will help the Bengals become one of just a few teams capable of defeating Mahomes’ Chiefs in the playoffs, according to Acho.
