Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow Having His Appendix Removed

Joe Burrow's run to get back to the Super Bowl encountered a slight delay today, as he is undergoing surgery to remove his appendix according to a report from NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

A Potentially Speedy Return

Burrow will miss some practice time as training camp opens up this week, but it is not expected to be a significant absence.

"A return to play after a standard laparoscopic appendectomy can be as short as 1-2 weeks, especially in a situation where the QB [Burrow] shouldn't be taking contact anyway", according to Dr. Jess Flynn, The 33rd Team's resident medical expert. "Burrow's return will be determined by how quickly he heals and if there were any complicating factors like a perforated appendix."

Burrow is the Bengals franchise quarterback, so it's a given that the team would like to give him as much time as they can to heal and be ready for the start of the season. Burrow led the Bengals to a 10-6 record in his second season and had the team competing in Super Bowl LVI until the very last minute.

"Having your appendix removed is never ideal," said Mike Tannenbaum, former NFL Executive and Founder of The 33rd Team. "However, Burrow has been in the same system for a number of years and it is early in training camp. From a Bengals perspective, this will hopefully be a non-issue."

Los Angeles Rams Quarterback John Wolford and then-Cleveland Brown Tight End Austin Hooper were diagnosed with appendicitis midseason last year, but both players returned about two weeks after surgery.

Every Rep Matters

“Horrible Timing” For Joe Burrow’s Appendix Surgery

“I doubt we will see much of Burrow in the preseason, so really most of his reps would come in training camp on the practice field.” — @RichGannon12 pic.twitter.com/3g2WbAA6rh

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) July 27, 2022

Where this will impact the Bengals is in training camp reps with the offense. A former NFL QB himself, Rich Gannon knows the importance of these reps and having time to gel with your teammates after the offseason.

"We've talked a lot about the importance of reps, especially in this day and age where star players just aren't playing in preseason games. I doubt we will see much of Burrow in the preseason, so really most of his reps would come in training camp on the practice field. Those reps are absolutely critical. While Joe Burrow is a quick study, not having him on the field affects every other position on the offense. It disrupts the timing and the rhythm of the passing game and it puts more of the onus on the other players to sort of rally around the backup quarterbacks there to get as many reps as possible."

The Bengals will be breaking in three new starters on the offensive line as well as a new tight end in Hayden Hurst. Not having those reps together while Burrow is recovering is a slight setback for the Bengals' offense.

You can't throw a more accurate pass than this Joe Burrow dime. 🎯 (h/t @Ben_Baby) pic.twitter.com/Ys7OpFOlvF

— NFL (@NFL) July 26, 2022

Joe Banner, a former NFL Executive and a Founder of The 33rd Team, believes that the biggest problem for Burrow will be what happens after surgery on the road to recovery.

"The timing is tough, but since most of the unit has been together, they should be ok. The bigger problem is the ability to recover and then go play 4-5 months of football without ever truly regaining the strength and stamina you need to survive the grind of the season, even under the best of circumstances. It was already going to be a challenge to win the tough AFC North. It just got moderately more difficult."

The Bengals currently have Brandon Allen and Jake Browning serving as the team's backup quarterbacks, but will likely add more arms for training camp.