NEWSLETTER
Joe Burrow is on the comeback trail, his former teammate Tyler Boyd is heading to Tennessee, and did you see the Roast of Tom Brady? That and more in today’s NFL Notes.
Joe Burrow Working His Way Back from Wrist Injury
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice this week after injuring his right wrist last November. He threw in front of the media for the first time, showcasing his progress after more than a month of throwing.
While he’s at the tail end of his six-month recovery, he admits it will take time to reach his peak by late July’s training camp. Burrow is fully cleared except for contact, expected in about a month.
“I felt good the last two days,” Burrow said. “I don’t ever really know how it’s gonna feel until I wake up the next morning, but I was encouraged by the last couple of days for sure.”
With Burrow sidelined down the stretch, the Cincinnati Bengals finished 9-8, in last place in a very competitive AFC North.
“Whenever you have an injury to your throwing side, you’re never quite sure how it’s gonna turn out at the end, but I’m in a good spot,” he said. “I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Have you Seen the Roast of Tom Brady Yet?
If you haven’t, I strongly recommend it. I watched it live on Sunday, and it’s worth your time. Bill Belichick made an appearance, as did former teammates such as Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Drew Bledsoe, and Randy Moss.
Titans Sign WR Tyler Boyd
The Tennessee Titans have signed former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, continuing their makeover of the receiving room. ESPN reported that Boyd has signed a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. With this deal, the Titans now have a clear starting trio to support second-year quarterback Will Levis.
Boyd will be playing in the slot, with DeAndre Hopkins returning as a standout and Calvin Ridley, who signed a four-year, $92 million deal in March, on the outside. Boyd and Hopkins are both under contract only for the 2024 season, so this may not be the Titans’ long-term plan. However, if the team can provide sufficient protection for Levis, it will be poised to return to competitiveness and learn more about Levis’ potential as a franchise quarterback.
Boyd had 67 catches for 667 yards and two touchdowns in the last season. He was the second-round pick out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2016 and played eight seasons in Cincinnati, recording 513 catches for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Boyd had 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019. He played almost every regular-season game in the past five seasons and formed one of the most productive and feared receiving trios in the league, along with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Michael Irvin, NFL Total Access Done at NFL Network
Michael Irvin is departing from NFL Network, and the long-standing show “NFL Total Access” is ending its more than two-decade run, according to sources. This follows ongoing cutbacks at NFL Network, with Irvin, 58, facing instability since an incident at the 2023 Super Bowl.
“NFL Total Access,” which began in 2003, will air its final episode on May 17, to be temporarily replaced by “Insiders.” NFL Network is revamping its programming, including relocating “Good Morning Football” to Los Angeles. The network has seen a series of layoffs and cost-saving measures in recent months.
“As is the normal course of business this time of year, we are evaluating our talent roster for the upcoming 2024 season and beyond,” NFL Network Vice President of Communications Alex Riethmiller said this week. “That process results in renewals, non-renewals, and additions to our talent lineup depending on programming needs. To those departing talent, we give our sincere thanks and appreciation for their hard work and contributions to NFL Media.”
