Jermaine Burton officially clears the air after missing latest Bengals training camp practice
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton was not present for Sunday’s training camp practice. The team released a statement that his absence was due to an “undisclosed injury.”Burton himself released a statement Monday afternoon, affirming the team’s statement was correct.“To be clear — my absence was DUE TO INJURY, not for any other reason,” Burton’s […]
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton was not present for Sunday’s training camp practice. The team released a statement that his absence was due to an “undisclosed injury.”
Burton himself released a statement Monday afternoon, affirming the team’s statement was correct.
“To be clear — my absence was DUE TO INJURY, not for any other reason,” Burton’s statement read. “Any suggestion otherwise is simply untrue. I take my role with the Bengals and my preparation for this season seriously, and I am focused on recovering and getting back on the field as soon as possible.”
Burton, now entering his second season in Cincinnati, had a couple absences during his rookie season that weren’t injury-related. He failed to show up for a walkthrough practice prior to a game in which he was slated to start, and he was kept home for the season finale due to an off-the-field issue.
These past incidents appeared to trigger speculation regarding why Burton wasn’t at practice, despite the club’s statement on the matter.
“Several posts and headlines have circulated regarding my absence from on the field yesterday. Unfortunately, some of these reports have omitted important context, leading to false assumptions about my commitment and character.”
It’s unfortunate that Burton felt compelled to release the statement clearing his name. Never before have the Bengals attempted to cover up a non-injury concern of his under the guise of it being injury-related, so it would’ve been odd for them to start now.
Burton has had to go all-in on proving his value to Cincinnati this offseason after his aforementioned incidents plagued his rookie season. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin put a good amount of pressure on him to show up and perform this year, and thus far, he’s done well in workouts and practices to stay on the roster. He posted one reception for three yards and had a 32-yard punt return in last week’s preseason-opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Burton’s injury will be one of several to monitor when the Bengals return to practice Tuesday.
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