No 'pitch counter' for Bengals QB Joe Burrow (wrist) during OTAs

Joey Franchise’s wrist is receiving a starting amount of throws.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s on the comeback trail from a torn ligament in his right wrist, has faced no limits during voluntary organized team activities.

“We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now,” Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said earlier this week, via the team website’s Geoff Hobson. “Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we’ve been smart how we put it together.”

Burrow’s 2023 season — and, therefore, the Bengals’ — was ravaged by injuries. He began the campaign nursing a calf injury that didn’t force him to miss any games, but clearly limited him on the playing field. Then disaster struck in a Week 11 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens when Burrow suffered the aforementioned torn ligament.

Many criticized Burrow’s decision to play despite his calf strain, suggesting the all-star quarterback needs to exercise caution when pushing himself into potentially risky situations. As he recovers and aims to return to his Pro Bowl form, this will be a crucial consideration.

So far so good, though.

Burrow hit the field running at the top of the month, stating that he was “encouraged” by his throwing and work overall.

It’s optimism mirrored by Pitcher.

“He’s got all his range and power,” the OC said, “really happy.”

The progress shown by Burrow is great news for the Bengals, who are 6-8 without him since he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, it’s May. And when the season kicks off in September, it’s clear that priority No. 1 for Cincinnati is keeping Burrow healthy. Thus, it’s important to temper the spring optimism and critical that the Bengals stick with the smart approach Pitcher alluded to.