‘I got beat and it killed me’ — Bengals offensive lineman doesn’t hold back his accountability regarding Joe Burrow’s turf toe
Cincinnati’s stating right guard takes responsibility for Joe Burrow’s injury.
Every Cincinnati Bengals player who was on the field can tell what they did on the play Joe Burrow suffered turf toe. Head coach Zac Taylor made it clear it was the result of all 11 players not being on the same page problem.
Right guard Dalton Risner can’t speak for his 10 teammates, but he knows what happened from his perspective, and he’s not running from it.
Dalton Risner owns up to Joe Burrow’s injury in heartbreaking fashion
Risner’s assignment on the now infamous second-and-20 play was to block Arik Armstead. After attempting to re-anchor, Risner lost his balance and allowed Armstead to break through the right side of Burrow’s pocket. The 31-year old defensive lineman tackled Burrow by his feet, which appeared to cause his turf toe as other bodies fell on top of him.
“For me, personally, it’s super tough because I got beat on the play,” Risner said to FOX19’s Joe Danneman. “So you can make as many excuses as you want, but I got beat and it killed me. Didn’t get much sleep last night. Been super, super upset about it.
“It’s just been a really devastating thing for me, because, you know, I got beat on the play,” Risner continued. “And I think he got tackled by two or three guys, but I know my guy was in on the tackle, so just makes your stomach hurt.”
That’s quite the accountable answer from one of the newest faces on the team.
Risner made his first-ever start for the Bengals Sunday. He was signed on Aug. 28 after the team kept just eight offensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster. His first appearance came in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns when starter Lucas Patrick went out with a calf injury.
Armstead did beat Risner for the sack on Burrow, but defensive end Dawaune Smoot also had a hand in containing Burrow in the pocket for the play to finish how it did. Smoot was initially handled by left guard Dylan Fairchild and passed off to left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. when the Jaguars executed a tackle-end stunt. DE Josh Hines-Allen, who was initially blocked by Brown, also ended up on top of Burrow in the pile.
It’s irresponsible to pin such a play on one person, which makes Risner’s statement so heartbreaking. Burrow was arguably the biggest draw for him to sign with Cincinnati as a free agent, and now he may not be able to play another snap with him this season. Burrow’s recovery could take at least three months.
The Bengals at least know one of their newest starters can hold himself accountable, even in the toughest of moments.
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