August 24, 2025

Fans, hold tight! Joe Burrow, the shining star of the Cincinnati Bengals, won’t be playing in today’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 23, 2025. This game, kicking off at 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium, will see the Bengals sitting their starters out. Why? Well, head coach Zac Taylor wants to keep key players fresh for the real battles ahead in the regular season. Burrow was in action for the Bengals’ first two preseason games in August. He threw two drives against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 7 and took charge for three drives against the Washington Commanders earlier this week. But during that game in Maryland, things got a bit rough. Joe was hit hard and sacked three times while trying to scramble instead of sliding safely. This made many fans nervous since their $275 million star was taking big hits when it wasn’t even a regular-season game! The concern grew louder, and ESPN’s Joe Buck summed it up perfectly: “Go down, Joe, it’s August,” reminding everyone that preseason games are only practice. On Wednesday, Zac Taylor spilled the beans: “I’m not expecting any starters to participate.” While he hasn’t personally told every starter, he made it crystal clear, “But, they aren’t playing.” He added, “Do I enjoy seeing that? Not at all. But, he is out there understanding what he can and cannot do. We’ve seen him escape tough situations before, and that’s why he’s playing in the preseason, to experience what it’s like in a game.” After the tough game against Washington, Burrow was honest with ESPN on August 18. He said, “Still got some kinks to work out. Some good plays, some bad plays, that’s football. But it’s good to make those mistakes in the preseason this year rather than the regular season.” He admitted missing a key third down and making a sack mistake he wishes he could undo. The Bengals’ coach had a bigger plan. Wanting to avoid starting their regular seasons with losses as in past years, Taylor let Burrow play more snaps earlier in the preseason. Now, with the final preseason game here, rest is the rule. Key players, including Burrow, are sitting out to stay healthy and fired up for the September 7 regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns. Taylor wrapped it up confidently, “I feel good about where our team’s at right now…I’m excited to get through the preseason and go play games because I see what I see in practice.” So, Bengals fans, don’t worry! Your star is resting up and ready to bring the fireworks when it truly counts!

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Tags: Joe burrow, Cincinnati bengals, Nfl preseason, Injury update, Zac taylor, Indianapolis colts,