Joe Burrow is Playing Sunday, But the Bengals Are Still Packing a Fire Extinguisher

Joe Burrow is officially listed as questionable with a sore back, but Zac Taylor has already confirmed his franchise quarterback is playing Sunday against the Houston Texans.

The Bengals elevating 40-year-old practice squad legend Josh Johnson as a third quarterback is the NFL equivalent of keeping a fire extinguisher next to the stove. You hope you never have to use it, but when your chef has a history of spontaneous combustion, it is just good household management.

"Zac Taylor said he is not comfortable telling Burrow to avoid contact on crucial downs: 'That's why he's here. He's a competitor.'"

Burrow practiced in full on Friday after being limited earlier in the week with back tightness. For anyone holding a Bengals moneyline ticket or sweating a fantasy lineup, the anxiety is completely justified. Burrow has missed at least six games in three of his six professional seasons, including a massive nine-game absence last year for a mangled toe.

Zac Taylor made it clear he is not going to bubble-wrap his star to protect him from himself. The head coach flatly rejected the idea of telling Burrow to slide short of the sticks on a crucial third down, noting that his competitive edge is exactly why he is on the field.

That is a great quote for a t-shirt, but it is slightly terrifying right before your quarterback takes the field against a DeMeco Ryans defense. Burrow has actually never beaten a Ryans-coached unit in two tries, despite throwing for an absurd 347.5 yards per game in those matchups. Houston just gave up 36 points to Buffalo in Week 1, so the passing lanes will be open if Burrow has the torque to exploit them.

Expect Burrow to take the first snap in Houston on Sunday afternoon. If he starts grabbing at his lower back after a hit, just remember that Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson are the only things standing between Cincinnati and a full-blown September crisis.