Joe Burrow’s back is now the biggest pregame storyline hanging over the Texans’ Week 2 trip to Cincinnati.
Burrow said Wednesday that he’s dealing with “back tightness” after the Bengals’ Week 1 game, and he was not out there practicing with the team that day. He also said he expects to play Sunday against Houston.
“I feel good. Normal gameday soreness, that's for sure.
But I’ll be alright," Burrow said on Wednesday after practice. "I don't know specifically what play [it happened on].
I didn’t really start feeling it until after the game. That's typically how it happens."
A report from practice also described Burrow as opening in a very limited capacity, not really throwing, and appearing to have some sort of brace on his throwing shoulder.
There’s still plenty of time before the Bengals leave for Houston, with two more practices on the schedule. That gives Burrow a chance to ramp up and put in more work, which is why the idea of him missing the game still feels unlikely. But the fact remains: he was held out of the first practice of the week, and that’s enough to keep Houston watching closely.
Any quarterback injury in game week matters. When it’s Burrow, it matters even more. He’s the engine of a Bengals passing attack that can take over a game when it’s clicking, and if he’s limited at all, the margin gets thinner fast.
There’s also the durability piece. Burrow hasn’t played a full regular season in two of the past three years, and since 2020 he’s averaged 12 games per season. That history gives even a minor issue a little more weight than it would for most quarterbacks.
For Houston, the timing is obvious. The Texans are trying to rebound from last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, and they’ll bring a defense that will be eager to answer back. If Burrow isn’t at 100 percent, that only makes Cincinnati’s job harder.
The Texans have seen Burrow only once in his NFL career, back in C.J. Stroud’s rookie season in 2023. In that game, Burrow went 27 of 40 for 347 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, but Houston still came away with a 30-27 win.
So while Burrow says he plans to play, the Texans still have every reason to track this one all week. At the very least, it’s a key storyline heading into Sunday.
In Other News...
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Jadeveon Clowneys status has become a small but meaningful concern for the Texans as they turn their attention to the Bengals. The veteran edge rusher was limited in practice because of a knee injury, a development worth watching for a defense that could use all the disruption it can get after its Week 1 issues.
Clowney was one of the brighter spots in the opener, even as Houstons defense struggled overall, so any setback with his availability changes the conversation around this matchup. The Texans will keep monitoring him leading up to the game, and whether he can suit up against Cincinnati is now one of the more important injury storylines on their side. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A C.J. Stroud Protection Problem Before Bengals Game
The Texans are heading into Week 2 with a little more uncertainty around the edges than they would like, and it starts with the availability of two important pieces on offense. Nico Collins has been dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring injury, while right guard Ed Ingram has missed multiple practices because of a groin issue, putting some pressure on Houstons protection plans before Sundays matchup with the Bengals.
Any time a receiver like Collins is limited, it changes how defenses can be handled, but the bigger concern in Houston is how these injuries ripple through the offensive line and the overall rhythm of the unit. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has also sat out several practices with a knee injury, adding another name to the list of Texans trying to get right in time for a game that already looks like it could demand a cleaner, sturdier performance up front. [Read more 🡒]
DeForest Buckners Return Could Change Everything For The Colts Defense
DeForest Buckners return to full participation in Colts training camp has given Indianapolis a much-needed boost, especially after he acknowledged he had seriously considered retirement while dealing with multiple injuries. For a defense that leans so heavily on his presence, getting Buckner back on the field changes the tone around the unit and gives head coach Shane Steichen a proven leader to build around as camp moves forward.
For Houston, it is also a reminder of how quickly the AFC South picture can shift when a rivals defensive centerpiece is healthy. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has already been in the position of defending C.J. Stroud after a rough outing, pointing more to defensive breakdowns than to the quarterbacks turnovers, and matchups with Indianapolis figure to carry plenty of weight if Buckner is back to anchoring that front the way the Colts expect. [Read more 🡒]