The Cincinnati Bengals received the news they wanted heading into Week 2. Joe Burrow’s back injury created some concern after he appeared on the injury report this week, but the latest update is positive: Burrow will play Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Burrow’s back injury won’t keep him out

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Burrow was dealing with back tightness after Cincinnati’s season-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was listed as a limited participant in both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices, but he never indicated that he expected the issue to keep him off the field.

The quarterback described the problem as normal postgame soreness and said Wednesday that he expected to play against Houston. Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Cincinnati’s 33-27 Week 1 victory.

There was also encouraging progress during Thursday’s practice. Burrow was reportedly throwing more than he did during Wednesday’s session, another positive sign for his availability heading into the weekend.

The latest update now removes much of the uncertainty surrounding Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback.

Bengals get their quarterback for Week 2

Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1), quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) take the field as captains for the coin toss before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Having Burrow available is particularly important with the Bengals traveling to Houston for a matchup against a Texans defense that features pass rushers such as Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

Cincinnati enters the game at 1-0 after its win over Tampa Bay, while Houston is looking to bounce back from a 36-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Burrow’s availability gives the Bengals their expected starting quarterback as they attempt to begin the season with consecutive victories.

The Bengals’ official injury report still listed Burrow as limited through Thursday, but the team had not assigned him a game-status designation at that point.

That uncertainty has now been answered.

Joe Burrow will play in Week 2, allowing the Bengals to move forward with their regular offensive game plan against the Texans. The back tightness will remain something to monitor, but there is no indication at this point that it will prevent Burrow from taking the field Sunday.

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