Joe Burrow in the spotlight: Distrust over 'freak injury' ahead of Pat Mahomes showdown

The Cincinnati Bengals could be struck by disaster ahead of their Week 2 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs as their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, pulls up with a "freak injury" ahead of the clash at the Arrowhead Stadium.

The Bengals suffered a shocking start to the season against the New England Patriots by being snuffed out for 10 points in the 16-10 Week 1 upset at the Paycor Stadium in Ohio as Burrow could only throw for 164 yards from 29 attempts.

In light of that, ESPN's Domonique Foxworth doesn't tip Burrow to offer much resistance against Mahomes for the title of best quarterback in the NFL, adding he's unsure of the 27-year-old's ability to bounce back.

"We've seen Joe Burrow do it in the postseason," Foxworth told Get Up. "But Joe Burrow's coming back off of kind of a questionable injury, a rare injury that we're not so sure how it's going to impact."

However, the QB on a $275m dollar deal dismissed suggestions his wrist is why he endured a tough start to the 2024/25 NFL season as he praised the Patriots' defense as they begin a new era without Bill Belichick.

"They were doing a good job keeping everything in front," Burrow said to media. "I've got to take what the defense gives me."

And it's straight out of the pan and into the fire in Week 2 as the Bengals take on the defending champions, who brushed aside Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, September 5 for their first win of the campaign.

They will be desperate for a response to avoid going 0-2 for the season as others pointed to the absence of Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase's refusal to train through the summer as other reasons why they suffered the opening day upset.

When is the Bengals vs Chiefs?

The Bengals will travel to the Arrowhead Stadium to take on Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday, September 15 in Week 2.

The game is expected to kick-off at 16:25 ET/13:25 PT and will be broadcast live by CBS.