Joe Burrow eyes taking Bengals to playoffs, not worried about left knee

After missing the second half of his rookie season with a gruesome left knee injury suffered in a loss to Washington, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is ready for his second pro season.

Burrow dismissed concerns about the surgically repaired left knee in a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

“None,” The Bengals quarterback told Graziano when asked if he had any concerns about his surgically repaired left knee.

Burrow, who will wear a brace for protection, said, “It shouldn’t affect me at all, I don’t really like wearing it because it’s big and bulky, but I don’t think it’ll affect my play.”

Not only did Burrow share his lack of concern about his left knee, but he told Graziano his goal is to lead the still rebuilding Bengals to the playoffs and win an AFC North title despite three 2020 playoff teams being in the division.

“Make the playoffs. Win the division. We really need to get better at closing out games,” Burrow said. We had leads in the fourth quarter of something like seven or eight games last year, and we ended up losing all of them. We just need to be better down the stretch.”

Burrow’s knee and the Bengals progress as a team will be put to the test Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings in their 2021 season opener.