NFL Injury Report: Is Bengals QB Joe Burrow Playing in Week 2 vs. Texans?

Joe Burrow expects to play when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Houston Texans in NFL Week 2, despite dealing with back tightness following the team’s season-opening victory. The quarterback’s limited participation in Wednesday’s practice has created some uncertainty, but he remains confident that the issue will not prevent him from taking the field Sunday.

Burrow said the soreness surfaced after Cincinnati‘s 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and that he could not identify a specific play that caused it. He described the discomfort as typical postgame soreness and indicated that he would be prepared to continue working, even if he does not participate fully in the team’s remaining practices.

Quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces between plays in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between Cincinnati and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

The Bengals quarterback completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the opener. He also contributed 20 rushing yards, helping Cincinnati begin the season with a win while navigating an offense that struggled to consistently involve star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Cincinnati’s medical staff will continue monitoring Burrow throughout the week, particularly given his injury history. He played only eight games last season because of turf toe, and the Bengals experienced a significant downturn after his injury during their Week 2 victory over Jacksonville.
To Play vs. Houston Texans in NFL Week 2

Quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gets loose before the start of the first quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.

Burrow is slated to play against the Texans in Week 2 despite some pain in his back. This can be seen in an update shared by Adam Schefter on X.

“Bengals QB Joe Burrow told reporters that he is dealing with “back tightness”, but he expects to play Sunday at Houston against the Texans,” Schefter wrote.

“Bengals QB Joe Burrow told reporters that he is dealing with “back tightness”, but he expects to play Sunday at Houston against the Texans,” Schefter wrote.

The matchup presents a difficult challenge if Burrow is less than fully healthy. Houston’s defense features premier pass rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, while the Texans are seeking a rebound after allowing 36 points in their season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills. Cincinnati will need its quarterback to operate efficiently against a defense capable of applying pressure from multiple positions.

If Burrow’s back tightness worsens, veteran Joe Flacco could be called upon to start for the Bengals. For now, however, Burrow’s public expectation remains that he will play, leaving Cincinnati with several days to determine whether his practice workload and physical condition support that plan.