Joe Burrow has plans, provided the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback gets his dislocated right pinky to cooperate.
Burrow did not practice Wednesday, giving his finger rest since injuring it in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
“We won’t have him throw today, just to give it one more day to rest and see where we’re at tomorrow, make a decision there,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday. “It’s a little bit of an unknown until he gets out there and does it. But he’s a tough guy. He played through it. We’re optimistic that he’ll be back to practice (this week) and get some good work in.”
Burrow, who intended to practice, said he’s figuring out an effective pain management plan.
“We’ll have to see. I’m going to try some things in practice this week to see what works best,” Burrow said before Wednesday’s practice.
Wearing a glove was one option, but Burrow decided it was “too hard to get them on, too painful to get them on.”
On Sunday, the Bengals (7-5) host the San Francisco 49ers (6-6) and Burrow’s college pal, former Ohio State pass rusher Nick Bosa. Bosa vowed to sack Burrow since he transferred out of Ohio State to LSU.
With five games left in the regular season — all against teams with at least a .500 record — the Bengals are a game behind the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati has games remaining with Baltimore, Denver, Kansas City and Cleveland after hosting the 49ers.
Burrow, who turns 25 on Friday, said he “doesn’t foresee” a scenario in which he misses Sunday’s game.
Also missing practice Wednesday were running back Joe Mixon (illness), receiver Tee Higgins (ankle), linebacker Logan Wilson (shoulder), cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (foot), defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin (illness) and running back Chris Evans (ankle).