Chad Johnson is very confident Joe Burrow will win the AFC North with the Bengals this season. (1:14).CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been cleared to play football. But don't think the team will rush to get its quarterback back on the field as he continues to recover from a terrible knee injury.Mike Brown, the Bengals' owner and president, stated Monday that Burrow will not be allowed to play in the team’s preseason games.Brown stated in his first news conference since 2019, "We probably won't put him out there till we get to season because we don’t want to risk any of him," Brown said. "But his rehabbing effort was A-plus."As the Bengals prepared to begin their first training camp practice, Burrow wasn't on the team’s physically unable perform list. This exclusion and Burrow's participation in all organized team activities during the offseason indicate that he will be available for the team’s season opener against Minnesota Vikings on September 12.Burrow, who was the top overall pick in 2020's draft, tore ligaments in his left leg in the team's loss against Washington on Nov. 22. In December, he had surgery to fix the injury. Zac Taylor, Bengals coach, was reluctant to state a plan and said that progress would be assessed on a weekly basis.The third-year coach said that Burrow would make a significant leap during training camp. As the Bengals try to reduce the number of precautions required to protect Burrow, he is expected to take part in 11-on-11 drills.Taylor stated, "At some point you can't overprotective." It's football. It's up to him to get out there and have fun with it."The Bengals hope that the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner will be the catalyst for ending the playoff drought that has lasted since 2015. Burrow started 10 games and completed 65.3% his passes for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions in his rookie season.Brown stated that the team appreciates Burrow’s offseason rehab and noted their dependence on Burrow. Taylor stated that Burrow is keen to do as much preseason practice as possible in preparation for his return season.Taylor stated that Taylor had a "great spring." Taylor said, "He had a great spring." He is ready to go back at it."
