The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into their preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on August 22, and all eyes are on quarterback Joe Burrow. After suffering a wrist injury, Burrow is making his much-anticipated return, and fans are eager to see him lead the team. On August 19, Burrow participated in practice, and despite looking sharp, fans noticed something unusual—he was wearing a glove during some of the drills. This sparked speculation about his injury status, but there’s a more practical reason for the glove.
ESPN’s Ben Baby shed light on the situation, revealing that Burrow wears the glove between reps on days when there’s little moisture in the air. The reason is simple: when the weather is cool or windy, as it was on the 19th with winds reaching 33 km/h, the glove helps create moisture, improving Burrow’s grip on the ball. This isn’t a new trick for Burrow either. Baby pointed out that the quarterback has been using this technique for some time, even during games. For instance, during last season’s opener against the Cleveland Browns, Burrow wore the glove in the second quarter to get a better grip on a wet ball. So, while fans may have been concerned, there’s no need to worry—Burrow is fine and ready to perform.
The Day 16 practice also provided a glimpse into the team’s readiness for the upcoming season. The Bengals’ defense looked strong, completely shutting down the offense during two starter drives. In the first drive, they forced a three-and-out, while cornerback Daxton Hill made a standout play by intercepting a 4th-and-1 pass intended for Charlie Jones during the second drive. This strong defensive showing is a positive sign as the team gears up for the regular season.
However, the offense didn’t fare as well. Despite Burrow’s return and the defense’s strong performance, the offense struggled during practice. In a regular 11-on-11 drill, the offense made a false start, and three of the four completions were intercepted.
While it’s true that key players like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were absent, the offense will need to step up significantly if the team hopes to compete at a high level this season. The Bengals are set to start their season against the New England Patriots on September 8, and the big question is whether the offense can improve in time.
Joe Burrow, now in his fifth NFL season, carries a lot of responsibility as the leader of the Bengals’ offense. This season, he faces additional challenges due to roster changes. The Bengals traded running back Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans during the offseason, leaving Burrow with new options in Zack Moss and Chase Brown.
While Burrow has expressed optimism about these players, the recent struggles in practice suggest that the team has a lot of work to do. Moss, in particular, was recently ranked 31st out of 32 starting running backs, raising concerns about the running game’s effectiveness.
The Bengals have a passionate fanbase known as Who Dey Nation, and they’ve never seen their team win a Super Bowl. Burrow brought the team close in 2022, leading them to the Super Bowl, but they fell short. This season, the pressure is on Burrow to take the team even further.
With the regular season fast approaching, the Bengals need to address their offensive issues and build on their strong defensive foundation if they hope to finally bring a Super Bowl victory to Cincinnati.
As the Bengals prepare for their final preseason game, the focus will be on improving the offense and ensuring that Burrow is fully ready to lead the team. The glove may have sparked some concern, but it’s just a tool in Burrow’s arsenal to help him perform at his best. With the right adjustments, the Bengals have the potential to be a formidable team this season, and fans are hopeful that this could be the year they finally achieve Super Bowl glory.
