Joe Burrow’s Week 2 status made clear after latest injury update

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals opened the 2026 NFL season with a win, but the quarterback's health quickly became a talking point ahead of Week 2. Burrow helped the Bengals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 in the season opener, completing 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also added 20 rushing yards in the victory.

The Bengals now face the Houston Texans on Sunday in a matchup that will test their offense on the road. Burrow remained the focus of the team's injury report after experiencing back tightness following the season opener. He did not throw during the open portion of Wednesday's practice, raising questions about his availability.

Burrow later addressed the issue and made his intentions clear. He said he expected to play in Week 2, while the Bengals continued to monitor his back during the week. The latest practice reports have provided another update on his status.

Joe Burrow expected to play against Houston Texans

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Burrow is expected to suit up for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Houston Texans despite dealing with back tightness. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided the latest update, with the quarterback's situation remaining one to monitor but without an indication that he is expected to miss Sunday's game.

The Bengals listed Burrow as a limited participant in both Wednesday and Thursday's practices. The official injury report lists the issue as a back injury, but it does not currently give him a game status designation. That leaves the door open for further monitoring before Sunday.

Burrow has also been clear about his plans. After Wednesday's practice, the quarterback said he expected to play against Houston and dismissed the idea of sitting out for precautionary reasons. His comments offered the first strong indication that the injury would not keep him from Week 2.

Joe Burrow's back injury remains something to monitor

The injury surfaced after Cincinnati's season-opening win over Tampa Bay . Burrow said he could not identify one specific play that caused the discomfort, although he took a significant hit while scrambling during the game. He did not leave the contest and continued playing through the second half.

The Bengals will still need to manage the situation carefully against the Houston Texans. Burrow's limited practice participation means Cincinnati has continued to account for the issue during its preparation, even with the quarterback expected to play.