Bengals should think twice about rushing Joe Burrow back for Week 1

While Joe Burrow's return to practice is great for Cincinnati, the team might want to think twice before rushing him back for Week 1.

Head coach Zac Taylor made no assurances that Burrow (strained calf) will start in the opener, but he's been tight-lipped in regard to his quarterback's health since he suffered his injury on July 27.

 "Just taking it day to day right now," said Taylor on Thursday, after telling reporters he thought his quarterback "looked good" at practice. (h/t Pro Football Talk)

While Burrow shouldn't be sidelined for long, sitting him in Week 1 at Cleveland is potentially the best course of action.

Since entering the league in 2020, Burrow's had a couple of nightmarish outings against the Browns, including last season on Halloween night in a 32-13 loss.

Most worrisome are the 18 sacks he's taken in five games against Cleveland, including five in last year's Monday night blowout, an average of 3.6 sacks per game.  

Bengals tackle La'el Collins is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and Jonah Williams is expected to start in his place.

Last season, he allowed 12 sacks, including a season-high three in that Monday-nighter (h/t Pro Football Focus.)

Per PFF, he tied for the most sacks allowed among all tackles.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is one of the league's best pass rushers and has always shown up against the Bengals. In nine career games versus Cleveland's in-state rival, Garrett has 11 sacks, including seven on Burrow.

The Browns also added a pair of former Vikings to their defensive line, Dalvin Tomlinson and Za'Darius Smith, this offseason. Per PFF, Tomlinson had three sacks and a career-high 29 total pressures last season. Smith was credited with 78 total pressures and 10 sacks, his third double-digit sack season.

Even a hobbled Burrow gives Cincinnati its best chance against Cleveland but is it worth bringing him back for an opponent that's had its fair share of success against him?

If wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had his way, Burrow would sit. Following Burrow's calf injury, Chase was asked about his quarterback's prognosis for the season debut.

"I told him with all honesty that I don't want him there," Chase revealed to NFL Network. "[A]s long as you're there after Week 5 and on, we're good brother," he added.

As Chase alluded to, a healthy Bengals team has a chance at winning the Super Bowl. Cincinnati needs to consider the long game when deciding if Burrow will start in Week 1. Sitting him might reap the bigger reward.