When In Doubt, Leave Him Out
If Joe Burrow sits Monday, sit him next Sunday, too. And the Sunday after that.
*
We’ll see.
The immediate fate of the local sports public rests on those shaky words.
If I get good grades, can I use the car on weekends?
We’ll see.
I just drank six Keystones in 29 minutes and now the room is moving. Should I be worried?
We’ll see.
Will Joe Burrow play Monday? If not, when will he play? Can the Bengals compete without him? How’m I supposed to function? Is my life over?
“We’ll see,’’ said Burrow, about Burrow. It was the best he could do. The verbal shrug owes to the cantankerous nature of a muscle injury. You think you’re recovered because the pain is mostly gone. Maybe that’s what Burrow thought, until 3:55 left in last Sunday’s game.
There are three grades of calf strain. Burrow’s is a Grade 1, the least awful.
Verywellhealth.com:
Grade 1: The type of strain happens when a stretch causes small micro-tears in the muscle fibers. This type of injury causes pain, but usually doesn't interfere with activity. Full recovery takes about two weeks.
So why does Burrow’s sound much closer to Grade 2?
Grade 2: This strain involves a partial tear of the muscle fibers. You'll need to limit activity, but full recovery takes approximately five to eight weeks.
At least it’s definitely not Grade 3.
Grade 3: This is the most severe calf strain, and involves a complete tear or rupture of the affected muscle fibers. Full recovery can take three to four months and, in some instances, surgery may be needed.
The issue is, if the Bengals roll the dice and mess with Grade 1, they increase the chances of Grade 2 or 3. Grade 2 suggests a midseason return, Grade 3 suggests fuhgeddaboutit.
No one in the public knows if Burrow will play Monday night. It’s possible no one in private knows, either. We’re all day to day, no one moreso than Saint Joe. If he doesn’t practice today, he very likely won’t play.
If Burrow sits Monday, he should also sit the following Sunday and the Sunday after that. Look, he spent five-plus weeks rehabbing with smart people using the finest medical equipment and treatment. Then he blew the same tire two weeks later. Does anyone believe one week off is going to fix him?
Don’t do this piecemeal. It won’t end well.
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