The Facts: Burrow hasn't quite looked like the record-breaking rookie of 2020 from the start of Bengals training camp. Understandable enough as the second-year quarterback returns from an ACL tear. Perhaps more disturbing, however, is that the Bengals' pass protection, which struggled last year and put the 2020 No. 1 overall pick in plenty of peril, hasn't handled the Bengals' rush especially well in early practices, either. Camp reports of Burrow looking uncomfortable, however, are premature to HC Zac Taylor. "I think it's the whole unit right now. We're just getting a feel for each other. You know, you'd like to be throwing touchdowns on every play right now, but we've got some progress to be made," Taylor told reporters Wednesday. "But there's no cause for panic for any reason for that."

Diehards Line: Burrow, when healthy, provided an injection of excitement for Bengals fans last year, despite the club's last-place divisional finish (4-11-1). He broke NFL rookie passing records, including becoming the first to pass for three consecutive 300-yard games, against the Jaguars, Eagles and Browns. Taylor, in turn, let it fly with the pass offense as Burrow averaged 40.4 pass attempts over 10 starts before he was hurt. So far in camp, however, Burrow is still searching for rhythm. WR Tyler Boyd suggested today that Burrow might not be completely confident that he can do everything. "I think he looks good. Just watching him move around in the pocket, his pocket presence seems great. I think he's kind of a little iffy on his knee, but it's kind of hard to tell. I feel like he's ready to go, but I also think he doesn't want to do too much," Boyd said. Taylor explained: "There's different tracks guys are on right now. I'm encouraged from what I see from Joe and when I meet with Joe, and again we're going to complete more balls as we go forward, we all know that. ..." Burrow's return from injury, and the protection that awaits him, will be on display in the club's preseason opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, featuring one of the league's elite defenses, on August 14.