The Cincinnati Bengals are going with Jake Browning, for now, as their starting quarterback in the wake of the crushing injury news concerning Joe Burrow, but they have made two additions at the game’s most important position.
Burrow is set to miss three months after suffering a Grade 3 turf toe injury, which will require surgery, in the Bengals’ 31-27 Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Browning’s one-yard touchdown sneak with 18 seconds to play secured that victory in a game that saw him throw two touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite the triumph, the Bengals’ hopes of seriously contending in the AFC look significantly diminished with Burrow, who led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season, out for at least 11 games.
The Bengals appear to be hoping that Browning can produce enough consistency to keep them in the mix after a 2-0 start. Brett Rypien is the only other quarterback on the active roster, but the Bengals added two to the practice squad in the form of Mike White and Sean Clifford.
White has started seven games in his NFL career, winning two, with his first victory coming against the Bengals in 2021.
Clifford, a fifth-round pick out of Penn State by the Green Bay Packers in 2023, has featured in three two games but has never attempted a pass in his pro career.
The Bengals face the Minnesota Vikings on the road on Sunday.
