CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who was not seen on the practice or rehab field on Sunday for what the team announced later was an undisclosed injury, did work out on the outdoor rehab field on Tuesday and afterward he came to watch the team practice in its indoor facility.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was asked prior to Tuesday’s practice when Burton was injured and said, “it might have been during the (first preseason) game on Thursday.”
The Bengals were off on Friday, but returned to practice on Saturday and Burton was a full participant. He then was not seen on the practice or rehab field on Sunday, which raised red flags, because of his missing practices and meetings during his rookie season in 2024.
Taylor was asked if anything flared up on Burton on Saturday.
“If that happened during the game that’s one of those things where you play the game and then you come up the next day, it’s an off day, so he reported it,” said Taylor. “I know it caught you guys off guard, but it’s all good. He’s doing everything he can to get back on the field.”
While not disclosing what the injury is, Taylor said Burton has, “some swelling,” and will be day-to-day.
Burton issued a statement on social media on Monday that his absence on Sunday was indeed due to an injury.
“Several posts and headlines have circulated regarding my absence from on the field yesterday,” Burton wrote. “Unfortunately, some of these reports have omitted important context, leading to false assumptions about my commitment and character. To be clear—my absence was DUE TO INJURY, not for any other reason. Any suggestion otherwise is simply untrue. I take my role with the Bengals and my preparation for this season seriously and I am focused on recovering and getting back on the field as soon as possible.”