The Facts: The knee injury that Burrow suffered in the second half of the Bengals' loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI apparently isn't serious. Burrow sustained a sprain that will not require surgery based on initial tests, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday, per sources. "After an offseason last year where surgery was the whole thing and rehab was the whole thing, he spent the entire way making his way back to be able to be ready Week 1, then improved throughout the season, he is not gonna have to worry about this offseason," Rapoport added. "A sprain with the belief no surgery is needed for Burrow."

Diehards Line: The former No. 1 overall draft pick led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in just his second pro season, his first in which he's been healthy enough to play from wire to wire. A torn ACL and MCL ended his rookie year in November of 2020, and his return from that injury was the story of the preseason in Cincinnati. That his latest injury isn't serious is a relief for the Bengals, but the close call should serve as an offseason reminder about priorities for improvement through free agency or the draft. Pass protection has been a problem for the Bengals since Burrow first arrived, as he's been sacked a whopping 102 times in 30 career games, counting postseason play. The Bengals managed to win the AFC North in 2021 despite allowing Burrow to be sacked an NFL-high 51 times in the regular season. The onus is now on the club to give him more time in the pocket and reduce the number of hits he's absorbed.