QB Joe Burrow throws a TD pass in his first game since wrist surgery, but Bucs beat Bengals 17-14
CINCINNATI (AP) The Bengals saw all they needed to see of Joe Burrow in their first series against Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
In his first game action in nearly nine months, Cincinnati's franchise quarterback directed a 73-yard drive, tossed a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins and then walked off the field.
The Buccaneers scored late to win the game 17-14, but Burrow passed his test.
He was 5 for 7 for 51 yards, directed five first downs and completed passes to four different receivers.
“I thought he was in control and saw the defense really well,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “I thought he handled it really well, and those guys made plays for him.”
The first and last passes of the drive were to Higgins, one of the few other Bengals' offensive starters to play. Burrow found Higgins for a 9-yard gain to open the drive. Then, on second-and-goal from the Tampa Bay 10, Burrow hit Higgins at the 5, with the receiver sidestepping cornerback Josh Hayes to go in untouched.
Burrow looked as if he was back to his old self after having surgery last year to repair a torn ligament in his throwing hand. He avoided taking any hits, on one play throwing the ball into the ground to avoid blitzing safety Kaevon Merriweather.
“Still some work to do, but it was nice to be back out there,” Burrow said. “Scored that touchdown, had a little help. It was a nice start.”
Burrow was injured last Nov. 16 at Baltimore, coincidentally on a touchdown throw to Higgins.
Backup Jake Browning didn't fare as well on Saturday. He played the rest of the first half and the third quarter, going 10 for 18 for 52 yards. Cincinnati struggled until Logan Woodside, the third quarterback of the night, threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jermaine Burton, a third-round draft pick, late in the game.
Higgins left the game after the first series, too. He is playing with a franchise tag, so he has something to prove in 2024.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield and most of Tampa Bay's top players didn't participate. Backup Kyle Trask played the first half, going 12 for 20 for 144 yards and was intercepted by rookie cornerback Josh Newton.
Fourth-round pick Bucky Irving carried six times for 27 yards and bulled in for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Center Graham Barton, Tampa Bay's first-round pick, saw significant action, helping blow out the middle of the Bengals' defensive line on Irving's touchdown.
“We got our first game under our belts," Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. "A lot of guys played for the first time. For the most part it was sloppy. There are a few things we need to clean up, but we made progress.”
Unlike last August when Mayfield was on a one-year, prove-it contract and competing with Trask to succeed Tom Brady as Tampa Bay’s quarterback, there are no lingering questions about the direction of the offense in training camp this summer.
The Bucs are confident Mayfield is positioned for continued success after leading the team to a third consecutive NFC South title and being rewarded with a new three-year, $100 million contract.
Bucs TE Devin Culp was being evaluated for a possible concussion.
Bengals WR and kick-returner Charlie Jones wasn't in uniform after injuring a knee in practice Thursday.
Buccaneers: At Jaguars next Saturday.
Bengals: At Bears next Saturday.
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Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
K. Trask
2 QB
3 FPTS
|
K. Trask | 12/20 | 144 | 0 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wolford
11 QB
5 FPTS
|
J. Wolford | 12/18 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
S. Tucker
44 RB
8 FPTS
|
S. Tucker | 10 | 68 | 0 | 26 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
30 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 10 | 29 | 0 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Irving
7 RB
9 FPTS
|
B. Irving | 6 | 28 | 1 | 8 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jefferson
45 RB
10 FPTS
|
R. Jefferson | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Wolford
11 QB
5 FPTS
|
J. Wolford | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Trask
2 QB
3 FPTS
|
K. Trask | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
R. Miller
81 WR
7 FPTS
|
R. Miller | 5 | 3 | 42 | 0 | 24 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jarrett
18 WR
5 FPTS
|
R. Jarrett | 2 | 2 | 35 | 0 | 28 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Knue
80 WR
4 FPTS
|
T. Knue | 5 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Durham
87 TE
4 FPTS
|
P. Durham | 2 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 16 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Thompson
83 WR
5 FPTS
|
C. Thompson | 4 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 12 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jefferson
45 RB
10 FPTS
|
R. Jefferson | 3 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 18 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. McMillan
15 WR
4 FPTS
|
J. McMillan | 2 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 19 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Palmer
10 WR
3 FPTS
|
T. Palmer | 1 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Webb
17 WR
2 FPTS
|
R. Webb | 1 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Kieft
41 TE
1 FPTS
|
K. Kieft | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Tucker
44 RB
8 FPTS
|
S. Tucker | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Culp
82 TE
1 FPTS
|
D. Culp | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Williams
30 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wells
89 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Wells | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Irving
7 RB
9 FPTS
|
B. Irving | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Johnson III
28 WR
0 FPTS
|
C. Johnson III | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
J. Russell
51 ILB
|
J. Russell | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Smith
23 DB
|
T. Smith | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. Jones
53 LB
|
V. Jones | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Banks
39 DB
|
M. Banks | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brewer
95 DT
|
C. Brewer | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Hayes
21 CB
|
A. Hayes | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hall
34 CB
|
B. Hall | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Izien
29 DB
|
C. Izien | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Person
44 LB
|
J. Person | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McDonald
36 CB
|
C. McDonald | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Gholston
92 DT
|
W. Gholston | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Grier
48 LB
|
A. Grier | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Nelson
98 LB
|
A. Nelson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Hayes
32 DB
|
J. Hayes | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Grzesiak
57 LB
|
D. Grzesiak | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Thomas
37 CB
|
T. Thomas | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Merriweather
26 SAF
|
K. Merriweather | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Funderburk
24 CB
|
T. Funderburk | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Britt
52 LB
|
K. Britt | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DeLoach
46 LB
|
K. DeLoach | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Isaac
16 DB
|
K. Isaac | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. McLaughlin
4 K
5 FPTS
|
C. McLaughlin | 1/2 | 35 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. Camarda
5 P
|
J. Camarda | 4 | 42.8 | 0 | 51 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
L. Woodside
11 QB
11 FPTS
|
L. Woodside | 8/12 | 149 | 1 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Browning
6 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 10/18 | 52 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Burrow
9 QB
8 FPTS
|
J. Burrow | 5/7 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Brown
30 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Brown | 5 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Williams
32 RB
0 FPTS
|
T. Williams | 3 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Woodside
11 QB
11 FPTS
|
L. Woodside | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Collins
34 RB
4 FPTS
|
E. Collins | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Browning
6 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Evans
25 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Evans | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Burton
81 WR
17 FPTS
|
J. Burton | 4 | 3 | 82 | 1 | 38 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Collins
34 RB
4 FPTS
|
E. Collins | 2 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 21 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Iosivas
80 WR
3 FPTS
|
A. Iosivas | 1 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. McLachlan
84 TE
3 FPTS
|
T. McLachlan | 2 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Higgins
5 WR
9 FPTS
|
T. Higgins | 3 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hudson
87 TE
4 FPTS
|
T. Hudson | 5 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lassiter II
18 WR
4 FPTS
|
K. Lassiter II | 6 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Butler
82 WR
2 FPTS
|
H. Butler | 2 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Pryor
19 WR
2 FPTS
|
K. Pryor | 2 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Irwin
16 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. Irwin | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Grandy
85 TE
1 FPTS
|
C. Grandy | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Evans
25 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Evans | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Jackson
12 WR
1 FPTS
|
S. Jackson | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brown
30 RB
2 FPTS
|
C. Brown | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
M. Njongmeta
45 LB
|
M. Njongmeta | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Battle
27 SAF
|
J. Battle | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Johnson
52 DE
|
C. Johnson | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Brooks
41 CB
|
N. Brooks | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hill
23 DB
|
D. Hill | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Robinson
39 CB
|
L. Robinson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Heyward
50 LB
|
S. Heyward | 2-3 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Jules
37 SAF
|
P. Jules | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Dowell
40 SAF
|
M. Dowell | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Turner
20 CB
|
D. Turner | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Stone
22 SAF
|
G. Stone | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bachie
49 LB
|
J. Bachie | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Gunter
93 DE
|
J. Gunter | 1-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ossai
58 DE
|
J. Ossai | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Davis
35 CB
|
J. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Harper
56 LB
|
D. Harper | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. Carter
95 DT
|
Z. Carter | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Carter
97 DE
|
A. Carter | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Pratt
57 LB
|
G. Pratt | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Newton
28 CB
|
J. Newton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Bell
53 DT
|
T. Bell | 1-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Pryor
59 DE
|
J. Pryor | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Davis
74 DT
|
C. Davis | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Davis-Gaither
59 LB
|
A. Davis-Gaither | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Casey
44 LB
|
A. Casey | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Anthony
33 SAF
|
D. Anthony | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Jenkins
90 DT
|
K. Jenkins | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
E. McPherson
2 K
2 FPTS
|
E. McPherson | 0/1 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Robbins
10 P
|
B. Robbins | 3 | 50.0 | 1 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Rehkow
8 P
|
R. Rehkow | 3 | 56.0 | 0 | 59 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. Lassiter II 18 WR
4 FPTS
|
K. Lassiter II | 1 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Irwin 16 WR
1 FPTS
|
T. Irwin | 1 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |