Bengals Training Camp Day 2: Serious or not, Joe Burrow's unlucky trend continues

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is charged every year with facing some of the toughest pass rushers in the NFL, and yet his greatest adversary doesn't wear an opponent's uniform, or any uniform for that matter. Burrow vs. having a normal training camp is a completely lopsided battle, one that the 26-year old quarterback has […]

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is charged every year with facing some of the toughest pass rushers in the NFL, and yet his greatest adversary doesn't wear an opponent's uniform, or any uniform for that matter.

Burrow vs. having a normal training camp is a completely lopsided battle, one that the 26-year old quarterback has yet to feel victorious in.

At the end of the Bengals' second practice of training camp, Burrow suffered what head coach Zac Taylor called a right calf injury whilst scrambling to his right during 11-on-11 work. Burrow pulled up mid scramble in near 100 degree heat like runners do when they suffer a cramp. 

No one knows for certain how serious or mild the injury is. Burrow gave a thumbs up whilst being carted off the field, a precautionary act for any player who may've suffered soft tissue injuries. He communicated to Pro Bowl teammate Ja'Marr Chase in a way that alleviated his Pro Bowl teammate. 

"[He] gave me the nod. I wasn’t really worried. I believe he’s alright,” Chase said after practice.

Whether he's alright or not, Bengals fans have been down this road before, and they've never liked it once.

Burrow's now four-year career has featured four different training camps in which he's either dealt with an ailment, or couldn't play in the preseason. COVID-19 took away his first chance at exhibition games in 2020. Recovering from a torn ACL had him fighting to feel normal in the pocket in 2021. Appendicitis out of nowhere disrupted the ramp up to 2022.

And now, what all of Cincinnati hopes is just a cramp or better has No. 9 on the mend again. Can this guy just get to September in one piece ever?

Thankfully there were some positive developments to come out Thursday's practice, but it also began with another injury scare.

Tarell Basham comes up limping first

One of the Bengals' free agent signings didn't make it out of positional drills before also suffering a right leg injury. Basham got the cart back to Paycor Stadium first and his status is also unknown.

Basham missing any and all practice time does not bode well for him as his roster spot was far from guaranteed entering camp. Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, and Cam Sample are all fighting for reps behind starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard at edge defender. Basham would make a great case for a sixth player in the rotation, but not if he can't prove it when it counts. 

Murphy, Ossaim and Sample are obvious beneficiaries of Basham's potential injury, as well as last year's seventh-round pick Jeff Gunter, who was his main competition to sneak on the roster as a sixth edge.

Chidobe Awuzie's modest progression

Finally, some good news. Awuzie, who was cleared off the PUP list two days ago, is still not partaking in 11-on-11 work just yet, but that's not stopping him from getting immersed in the action. He was seen mirroring routes away from the action, getting in crucial movement work as he inches closer to getting real reps. 

And why stop at cornerback? Earlier in practice, Awuzie was having some fun with the scout team as a running back.

The more work Awuzie gets under his belt, the better chance he'll have at suiting up for Week 1. That's always been his goal this year, and there's been no signs of anything getting in the way.

DJ Turner back to receive

Awuzie coming back on time would solidify the starting cornerback group. It would also eliminate the team's second-round pick from seeing the field outside of emergency situations. Turner's goal should involve becoming the first cornerback to come off the bench in those scenarios, but special teams work will be his primary outlet to the field.

Returning punts may not be involved in that, but you never know.

Turner fielded punts along with the usual suspects in what will be an open competition this Summer. 

Fellow rookie Charlie Jones battling veteran incumbent Trent Taylor will be the main duel for this role, but Turner's speed gives him an interesting edge if given enough opportunities. 

Featured image via © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

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