Bengals Suspend WR Jermaine Burton for Off-Field Issue Amid Troubling Pattern
The Cincinnati Bengals have suspended wide receiver Jermaine Burton for one game due to an off-field matter, the team confirmed Sunday. While the team has not provided details on the nature of the issue, the decision adds another layer to what has already been a turbulent start to Burton’s NFL career.
Burton, a second-year receiver and third-round draft pick, has yet to suit up for a regular-season game this year despite being healthy. He’s been a consistent presence on the inactive list-not because of injury, but due to disciplinary decisions by the team. This latest suspension only reinforces the concerns surrounding his reliability and standing within the organization.
What makes this situation even more alarming is the broader context. Earlier this year, Burton was the subject of serious allegations stemming from an incident involving a 19-year-old woman he had been dating.
According to police reports, the woman accused him of physical assault, including hitting and choking her, and claimed he threatened to harm himself during the altercation. The report, filed on December 30, paints a deeply troubling picture of the encounter.
The woman told officers that Burton had broken into her home, damaged her phone, and acted in a threatening manner, even grabbing a knife and holding it to his own neck.
Although no criminal charges were ultimately filed-she later declined to press them-the allegations were disturbing enough to raise red flags about Burton’s behavior off the field.
This isn’t the first time Burton’s conduct has drawn scrutiny. During his college days at Alabama, he was caught on video appearing to strike a female fan who had rushed the field after a game. That incident sparked widespread criticism and added to a growing list of concerns about his temperament.
There have also been issues with professionalism and accountability since joining the Bengals. Burton was previously left off the active roster for missing a team walkthrough-a clear violation of team expectations. He’s also reportedly been evicted twice from his apartment for lease violations, further underscoring a pattern of off-field instability.
For the Bengals, this suspension is more than just a one-game absence. It forces the organization to confront a difficult question: Can Burton be trusted to stay on the field and out of trouble?
Talent has never been the issue. Coming out of college, Burton was viewed as a dynamic receiver with the physical tools to contribute at the pro level.
But availability and discipline matter just as much in the NFL, and right now, he’s not checking those boxes.
The team has not indicated whether further disciplinary action is on the table, nor have they offered a timeline for when-or if-Burton might return to the active roster. For now, he remains a talented but troubled player whose future in Cincinnati is anything but certain.