BOTHELLO — Coach Zac Taylor stated that preliminary assessments reveal Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had a sprained right wrist during Thursday night’s 34-20 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Burrow left the game in the second quarter and did not return. Later, in the changing area, he was observed donning a multi-layered shawl.

Taylor said that after Burrow’s 4-yard touchdown pass to running back Joe Mixon, he seemed to be in significant discomfort following a fall on his wrist earlier in the game. Burrow’s final play of the match ended with that.

Taylor remarked, “It appeared like he sprained his wrist.” “Fell on it early in the game and then felt it on the touchdown pass.”

Following the game, Taylor had no more information at all.

It’s unknown when Burrow started experiencing wrist pain. He did not come into contact with any players as he sank into a deep squat on the field after his touchdown throw to Mixon. Burrow spent a short while in the team’s medical tent before coming out to the sidelines.

Burrow was a poor thrower; he kept dropping the ball at the end of his throws while trying to warm up. There was one occasion when he collapsed once more before getting up to try again.

He quickly rushed to the visiting locker room after that incident.

Burrow passed for 101 yards and a score on 11 of 17 attempts. Substitute quarterback Jake Browning, who completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a late touchdown throw to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, took his place.

Burrow was seen wearing what seemed to be protective clothing on his wrist as he exited the team jet prior to kickoff. Throughout the week, Burrow’s name was omitted from the injury report, and Taylor stated he was unaware of Burrow’s wrist condition.

Taylor remarked, “That was the first I saw anything about it.”

Before the game, Taylor stated that he “absolutely” felt comfortable about Burrow.

Taylor said, “Observe how he performed in the first half.” “He did everything we needed him to do.”

Bengals center Ted Karras described the talks that took place at halftime as Browning was ready to play the rest of the game and Cincinnati faced a 21-10 disadvantage.

“No panic, just making some adjustments, what we’re gonna come out with in the second half,” Karras stated. evidently didn’t perform it [at] a level that would have won the match.”

Browning’s first high-leverage reps as an NFL player came on Thursday. He was a 2019 undrafted free agent out of Washington who was on Cincinnati’s practice squad from 2021 until this year, when he defeated Trevor Siemian for the backup position during training camp.

Prior to Thursday, he had only completed one incomplete pass in a regular-season game, which occurred late in Cincinnati’s 24-3 defeat to the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.

Though Browning has been reliable in his preparation should he need to enter a game for Burrow, he exuded confidence when called upon to play. Earlier in the season, Browning was also placed on standby as Burrow dealt with a persistent calf issue that first cropped up on the second day of training camp.

After the game, Browning remarked, “I didn’t feel like I was out of place or anything like that.” However, I didn’t truly feel that way before I arrived. While waiting for a chance, I had a lot of very great years on practice teams.”

Other than the brief interaction during which he was first informed of Burrow’s wrist problem, Taylor stated he did not know the full nature of Burrow’s injuries. Taylor expressed his opinion that Burrow’s departure from the game had no effect on the team’s morale.

“I didn’t feel like for one second the wind was out of our sails and guys were letting things happen,” Taylor stated. “I feel like down-in, down-out on defense those guys were fighting their tails off.”

On Thursday, Burrow wasn’t the only noteworthy injury. Due to a quadriceps injury, starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt had to leave the game. Regarding the status of the second-year defender, Taylor was in the dark.

Cincinnati was aware going into the game that the Bengals were playing the division-leading Ravens (8-3) and that the stakes would be high. With their victory on Thursday night, the Ravens completed a season sweep of the Bengals. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, which is still bottom in the division, will face a difficult road to the postseason no matter what happens to Burrow.

Tyler Boyd, a wide receiver with the Bengals, stated that the club has to come together despite Burrow’s injury.

It really hurts us, Boyd stated. “Our best player is the one. All we can do is continue to be ready, keep going, and simply go out there and provide Jake with as many opportunities as we can.”