Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field at the conclusion of a Week 2 NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow ‘pretty sore’ after aggravating calf

Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow aggravated his right calf on Sunday and said after the game that he was uncertain of the severity of the injury beyond the fact that it is “pretty sore right now.”

Burrow, who strained the calf in the second practice of training camp, was limping noticeably after the Bengals’ final offensive drive in their 27-24 loss to the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati fell to 0-2 this season.

Both Burrow and Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Burrow would have gone back out on the field if Cincinnati had regained possession.

“I’m not sure how it’s going to feel the next couple days,” Burrow said. “It’s pretty sore right now. No telling how it’s going to feel. So, I think we’re going to take it day by day.”

Burrow threw for 222 yards on Sunday after recording a career-low 82 yards in Cincinnati’s season-opening, 24-3 loss in Cleveland on Sept. 10. He said the calf felt “good enough” after that setback.

Burrow said he “tweaked” the calf while throwing an incomplete pass on Sunday. On the next play, he leapt off his right foot in throwing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins. That score brought the Bengals to within 27-24 with 3:28 left in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens (2-0) got two first downs on the ensuing drive and ran out the clock.

The Bengals are set to play a primetime game next week, as they will face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

–Field Level Media

Nov 27, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton (57) after making a reception during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

After rolling over 300, Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (calf) resting all week

NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs will not practice this week due to a calf strain, but hopes to be in the Raiders’ lineup on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jacobs capped a 303-yard day with an 86-yard walk-off touchdown run in overtime to lift Las Vegas over the Seattle Seahawks last week. He logged 33 carries for 229 yards and two touchdowns and caught six passes for 74 yards.

He did it all with a calf strain suffered two days before the game and nearly opted to sit out to rest the injury before his historic performance.

“It’s kind of crazy coming in and not knowing if I was going to play,” Jacobs said postgame. “Looking the guys in the eyes, telling them that they’re going to get everything they got out of me. They didn’t want me to finish the game, but I kind of convinced them that I could go.”

Jacobs’ 1,159 rushing yards and 1,484 yards from scrimmage rank first in the NFL. He rushed for 132 yards against the Chargers in the 2021 regular-season finale.

He came out of the Seattle game nursing the same calf injury, and if he practices at all the rest of the week, it would be in a limited fashion, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The Raiders declined the fifth-year option on Jacobs’ contract in April, making him eligible for free agency in March. He’s in the final season of a four-year, $11.9 million deal signed as the 24th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Jacobs, 24, has a base salary in 2022 of $2.1 million.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Dak Prescott strains calf, will undergo MRI on Monday

The Dallas Cowboys’ game-winning play on Sunday apparently came with a bit of a scare.

As he was throwing the decisive touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott strained his right calf. He was in a walking boot following the Cowboys’ 35-29 overtime win over the New England Patriots.

“It was a little pain,” Prescott said, “but for sure I would’ve been able to keep going. … Just came down funny. Didn’t like what I felt. It’s something that we’ll check out, but I could’ve kept playing if I had to. I’ll be fine.”

Prescott has thrown for 1,813 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions this season for the first-place Cowboys. He passed for 445 yards and three touchdowns against New England as Dallas won its fifth straight game.

Prescott, who will undergo an MRI on Monday, played in only five games last season due to a fractured and dislocated left ankle.

“He was fine after the game,” Lamb said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I told him I love him. … I’m just going to keep reminding him that last year wasn’t like this.”

The Cowboys have a bye this week before facing the Minnesota Vikings on Halloween.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts after a pass play to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Browns CB Ward (calf) to miss a few games

Cleveland Browns standout cornerback Denzel Ward is expected to miss a few weeks with a calf strain, according to reports Tuesday.

Ward played every snap in last week’s 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Ward recorded his second interception of the season and impacted Eagles QB Carson Wentz on the play that resulted in a pick-six by Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki.

Ward, 23, has started every game but one in his 35 games with the Browns. Cleveland selected Ward No. 4 overall in the 2018 draft out of Ohio State, and he was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Ward has an NFL-leading 15 passes defensed this season to go with the two picks and a forced fumble. He has 37 tackles.

The Browns also will be without star defensive end Myles Garrett again this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to COVID-19 protocols. Garrett was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last Friday.

–Field Level Media