Bengals QB Joe Burrow reportedly to have appendix removed

Joe Burrow will miss a few days of Cincinnati Bengals practice after he underwent surgery to remove his appendix, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It's unclear if this surgery is preventative or if Burrow has appendicitis (the inflammation of the appendix), but either way, an appendectomy is a standard procedure and not one that should sideline Burrow for long.

Other NFL players returned in about two weeks following surgery, including Los Angeles Rams backup quarterback John Wolford and Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper in 2021. Wolford and Hooper were diagnosed with appendicitis before their appendectomies. The same went for former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the 2006 season opener with an emergency appendectomy, and Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison, who missed a game in 2020.

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What Burrow and the Bengals are likely trying to avoid is what happened to former Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack, who played through appendicitis in a 2011 game before having surgery the next day. At the time, Mack thought he was suffering from the flu. Mack could have suffered life-threatening symptoms if his appendix ruptured during the game.

The Bengals are counting on Burrow to keep the team in title contention after Cincinnati's wild run to the Super Bowl this past season. Burrow led the Bengals to a 10-7 record in his second season and on the precipice of the franchise's first Super Bowl win. The team beefed up the offensive line this offseason in hopes of elevating Burrow and the rest of the offense. Burrow is also eligible for a contract extension after this season, something Bengals owner Mike Brown said is the team's "whole focus."