Jake

Browning

Rib injuries can be tricky so it’s no surprise that there’s not a definite timetable on Browning’s return. While the Bengals may choose to bring another quarterback on board, Logan Woodside and Rocky Lombardi are the two that remain behind Burrow. Browning filled in admirably when Burrow was lost for the 2023 season with a wrist injury.

Coming off surgery on his wrist after sustaining a season-ending injury last fall, Burrow said it’s hard to estimate how far along he is in his recovery. He assured reporters he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. That could mean Burrow will be limited and carefully managed by the Bengals this summer. The Bengals’ 2024 prospects hinge entirely on the availability of the oft-injured Burrow, entering his age-27 season. Jake Browning would serve as the team’s starting QB if Burrow misses time again in 2024.

Browning filled in admirably for Joe Burrow in 2023, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns over seven starts for Cincinnati. Browning had the league’s seventh highest completion rate over expected and tenth best EPA per drop back as the Bengals went 4-3 in his starts. He completed 70 percent of his passes in 2023. Browning, 28, could serve a crucial function for the Cincy offense considering Burrow’s lengthy injury history.

That ensures Browning, 28, will return to Cincinnati to serve as Joe Burrow’s backup for at least one more season. Browning in 2023 started seven games for the Bengals following Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury. He had the league’s third best completion rate over expected during that two-month stretch, throwing 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions as the Bengals went 4-3. Browning proved more than capable to operating the Bengals offense — a positive development considering Burrow’s extensive injury history.

So ends a seven-game relief stint that was better than it had any right to be. Although he was buoyed by a strong supporting cast and innumerable well-timed screens, Browning knew what to do with them. That is more than can be said for most backup quarterbacks. Browning played well enough to keep Cincinnati in the playoff hunt until Week 17, and to ensure Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon could both reach statistical milestones. The Bengals went 4-3 in his care. Browning turns 28 in April, so it might not be entirely accurate to say he’s proven himself as a long-term backup, but he should garner plenty of No. 2 interest if the Bengals let him reach free agency.

Things started off great for Browning and company, as they managed 17 points on their first three possessions but were kept off the board the rest of the way. A last-ditch effort at a comeback fell flat on its face as Browning absorbed four sacks on the team’s final possession before ultimately turning the ball over on downs. He did manage to run in a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter and toss another score to Joe Mixon, but Browning and the Bengals are now out of playoff contention and are simply playing out their schedule. Their season will conclude after Week 18’s contest against the Browns.

The Bengals surprisingly entered the half down 24-0 which created a second half reliant on their aerial attack. Browning started the second half with an 80-yard, catch-and-run touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins before tossing two picks that landed in the defenders’ laps. He was behind the play on multiple occasions on this eve, with the Steelers confusing the rookie quarterback with an increased rate of zone coverage after showing man at an elevated rate early. The Bengals fall to 8-7 and will need to win out and receive some help to make the playoffs.

Browning started slow against a Vikings defense that led the league in points allowed since Week 6 but a three-score fourth quarter sent the game to overtime. The Bengals went three-and-out on their first possessions in the extra frame before a crucial fourth-down stop on the brink of field goal range gave them the ball back. Browning hit Tylor Boyd on a broken play for a long gain on third down to set up the game-winning field goal, sending the Bengals closer to a playoff bid at 8-6. Up next is a matchup with AFC North rivals in the Steelers in Week 16.

Browning added three rushes for seven yards and a touchdown on the ground. His interception was a pick-six, though it deflected off Tanner Hudson’s hand and into the waiting arms of Colts defensive back Ronnie Harrison. It could have been a better throw from Hudson, but some bad luck was involved in the play resulting in six points for the Colts. The big story of the day was Browning’s thumb injury. He left after shaking his thumb out and struggled to hold the ball, only for the issue to be announced as a thumb cramp moments later. He returned to the game after a brief stay in the locker room and closed things out in the fourth quarter. Browning got plenty of help via yards after the catch in this game, but he has been dialed in over the past two weeks, throwing for three touchdowns, running for another two, and turning the ball over just once. He will enter the QB2 streaming mix for the Bengals’ Week 15 matchup with the Vikings.

Browning’s throwing hand wrenched into a claw position early in the fourth quarter after he threw a pass. He scrambled for a few yards on the next play and was seen shaking out his hand before heading to the locker room. Luckily, the issue was quickly resolved by the medical staff and he returned to the sideline after a few minutes. Browning was listed as probable and should be back on the field for the Bengals’ next drive.