Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s health became a primary concern during the team’s crucial Week 18 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Burrow, who had been performing at an elite level all season and was recently named a Pro Bowler for the second time, suffered an apparent head injury after a tough sack by Steelers defensive stars Cam Heyward and Nick Herbig.

Burrow’s Injury: A Scary Moment on the Field

In the third quarter of the Bengals’ victory, Burrow was sacked hard by Pittsburgh’s defense, landing awkwardly on the football and getting a facemask full of turf. The hit left him lying on the field for several moments before he was able to walk off under his own power. As per protocol, Burrow was immediately taken to the blue medical tent for evaluation, reportedly for a concussion.

An independent neurological consultant, signified by a red hat, was seen exiting the tent, which suggested Burrow was being thoroughly checked for a head injury. Despite the scare, Burrow returned to the game shortly after, reassured fans by stating, “It didn’t feel great but nothing crazy,” in an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters.

Burrow’s Resilience: Quick Return to Action

After being cleared, Burrow rejoined his team on the bench before coming back into the game as the Bengals got the ball back. The Bengals capitalized on the opportunity, with kicker Cade York converting a 35-yard field goal to extend their lead to 16-7. The Bengals would go on to win the game, with Burrow contributing significantly to the victory despite the health scare.

Burrow’s Historic Season Continues

The injury scare didn’t derail Burrow’s impressive season. In the win against the Steelers, Burrow increased his NFL leads in both passing yards and touchdowns, further solidifying his place as one of the league’s premier quarterbacks. Earlier this week, Burrow was also named to his second Pro Bowl in just five seasons, cementing his status as a future Hall of Famer.

In Week 17, Burrow celebrated a touchdown run with the Griddy dance, showing that he’s not only a fierce competitor but also enjoying every moment of his remarkable season. That victory over the Denver Broncos also saw Burrow become the 11th quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 40 touchdowns in a single season.

Additionally, Burrow broke his own franchise record for passing yards in a season during a thrilling overtime win against the Denver Broncos.

A History of Toughness

Burrow’s toughness has been on display all season long, despite taking hits from defenders. Earlier in the season, during a game against the Dallas Cowboys, Burrow appeared to limp after having his facemask twisted by rookie linebacker Marist Liufau. Despite the apparent discomfort, Burrow didn’t miss a snap, and his resilience caught the eye of NFL officials, who later discussed the potential for employing replay assistance for facemask penalties.

Burrow also faced brutal hits throughout the season, including a late hit by Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey in Week 10 that didn’t result in a penalty, and an aggressive facemask grab by Ravens defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike. These incidents, while not penalized at the time, highlighted Burrow’s ability to take physical punishment and continue playing at a high level.

Even after a hit from Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby in Week 9 that left Burrow with a bleeding neck, the Bengals quarterback shook it off and remained in the game, with Crosby later being fined for the unnecessary roughness penalty. These moments further cement Burrow’s reputation as a tough and resilient leader for the Bengals.

A Look Ahead

Despite the injury concerns, Burrow’s focus remains on leading the Bengals deep into the playoffs. With the win against the Steelers, Cincinnati secured a vital victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Burrow, who has been key to the Bengals’ success this season, will undoubtedly be the focal point of their postseason run.

As the Bengals head into the playoffs, the team and fans will be closely monitoring Burrow’s health, hoping that the star quarterback can stay healthy and lead Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl win.