Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he's "good to go" for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after undergoing an appendectomy in late July.

"Throwing it the way I want to throw it. Hit all my speed numbers," Burrow told reporters Wednesday.

The 2020 first overall pick suffered a torn ACL during his rookie campaign, which limited his offseason preparations last year, and the surgery to remove his appendix halted his training camp work this year for over two weeks.

"I'd like to have a normal offseason at some point," Burrow told reporters in mid-August. "That would be great. Going into the season feeling as good as I can, but that hasn't been the reality for three years. Make the most of what you got. We'll try again next year."

The 2021 NFL Comeback Player of the Year didn't reveal how much weight he lost while recovering from the appendectomy but confirmed adding more pounds back to his frame would be part of the equation before the regular season.

Burrow didn't play at all in the preseason, though that may have been the case regardless since teams have started trying to limit key players' injury risk in exhibition games.

Now all signs point toward him being all systems go for the opener.

"He looks all the way to 100 percent to me," wide receiver Tee Higgins said Monday. "Same Joe. Just that killer mindset and he's ready to go.”

Burrow is coming off a terrific 2021 campaign that saw him complete 70.4 percent of his passes for 4,611 yards with 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 16 regular-season games before leading the Bengals to an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.

Cincinnati once again has the look of a contender after an offseason that included three key free-agent signings for the offensive line (Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and La'el Collins) along with a defense-heavy draft class.

The AFC is overflowing with championship contenders, however, so the path to another Super Bowl starts with winning the division for Burrow and Co.

A Week 1 triumph over the Steelers would be a first step in the right direction.

In a seemingly abrupt change of plans, O.J. Howard is headed to Houston.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Texans are set to sign the free-agent tight end after he visited the team Thursday. Most expected Howard to sign with the Cincinnati Bengals after he was in facilities Wednesday.

The Bengals claimed tight end Devin Asiasi off waivers Wednesday as Howard was supposed to visit, so it's unclear if this was a Cincinnati decision or one made by the veteran tight end.

Of note, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Howard never made the trip to Cincinnati:

The Buffalo Bills released Howard on Tuesday as part of final roster cuts. He signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in March that included $3.2 million in guarantees. It's likely his deal had offsets baked in, so it would be a surprise if his contract with the Texans is worth more than the minimum.

Despite having a little more than a week to learn the Texans playbook, it's possible Howard winds up being the team's starting tight end for Week 1. Pharoah Brown and Jordan Brevin are the only other tight ends on the roster, neither of whom impressed when they got playing time last season.

Howard, a 2017 first-round pick, spent his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's compiled 119 catches for 1,737 yards and 15 touchdowns but saw a significant dip in playing time the last two seasons amid the arrival of Rob Gronkowski.

The Texans open their 2022 slate against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 11.

Aaron Donald is accustomed to going after the quarterback as a pass-rusher during games, but the Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman went after members of the Cincinnati Bengals a different way during Thursday's joint practice.

Donald was seen swinging a Bengals helmet at players during a brawl that broke out at the practice.

Football insider Warren Sharp shared video of the scene:

Cincinnati and Los Angeles faced each other in the Super Bowl, and it was Donald's pressure on Joe Burrow on a fourth down late in the game that all but clinched the championship for the Rams.

They also play each other in Saturday's preseason contest, and Thursday's brawl could lend some additional energy to a game that otherwise may have been rather lethargic with the teams looking ahead to the regular season.

According to USA Today, the brawl was the practice's third bust-up and they all involved Rams defenders and Bengals offensive tackle La'el Collins.

Images of Donald swinging a helmet immediately brought to mind Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett doing something similar to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph during the 2019 season:

While Garrett was suspended, Donald may avoid such a punishment. After all, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk noted the NFL usually allows teams to enforce discipline if an incident occurs during practice.

"I don't know exactly what instigated it," Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters. "I think in some instances teams defending each other. Fortunately, my understanding is nobody got hurt and we'll move on from it. Not going to make a bigger deal than what it is. Not going to look at pointing fingers."

Any type of suspension for Donald would be a difficult blow for the Rams considering he is arguably the best player in the NFL.

They also start their regular season in a potential Super Bowl preview matchup with the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8.

With two weeks remaining before the start of the NFL regular season, Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates has ended his holdout.

Bates reported to the team Tuesday and signed his franchise tag after Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Bates' return, with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reporting he would sign the one-year franchise tender.

The Bengals used their franchise tag on Bates in March to ensure they would be able to hold on to him for at least one more season while the two sides negotiated a long-term deal.

When no deal materialized before the July 15 deadline, CBS Sports HQ's Josina Anderson reported the 25-year-old had "no intentions" of attending training camp when Bengals veterans were scheduled to arrive by July 26.

The franchise tag value for safeties in 2022 is $12.911 million. Rapoport noted in July that Cincinnati's final offer to Bates included only $4 million more in guaranteed money over five years than what he would make on the one-year tender this season.

Signing the tag now ensures Bates will be paid the entirety of the $12.911 million. It also allows him the opportunity to become a free agent next offseason.

The Bengals could use the franchise tag on him again in 2023, but it would cost them 120 percent of his salary for this season ($15.48 million) if the two sides are still unable to agree to terms on an extension.

Bates has been an essential piece of the Bengals defense since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. The Indiana native has started all 63 games he's played over the past four seasons, recording at least 100 combined tackles every year from 2018-20. He was named to the All-Pro second team in 2020.

In 15 starts last season, Bates recorded 88 combined tackles and a career-high three tackles for loss. He had two interceptions in four playoff games, including one on Matthew Stafford in the second quarter of Super Bowl 56 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bengals will open the 2022 regular season on Sept. 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow revealed some details about his appendectomy during his first press conference since undergoing the surgery July 26.

Ben Baby of ESPN noted Burrow said the appendix ruptured.

"It wasn't normal appendicitis that you hear about," Burrow said. "I didn't really feel much. Just getting checked out and had some discomfort so we thought we'd get it checked out. Turns out I had it. So we had to get it fixed."

Burrow lost weight from the surgery and said regaining his strength has been a focus as he returns to practice.

"When they cut into you and do all that stuff your core is going to lose some muscle and some strength just getting that back," he said.

The LSU and Ohio State product plans on being ready to go for the Sept. 11 opener against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Wednesday was the first time he participated in team drills at practice after the surgery.

Having Burrow healthy by Week 1 will be key for the Bengals as they look to take another run at a title after losing in the Super Bowl last season.

He completed 70.4 percent of his passes for 4,611 yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions during his second season and then led Cincinnati to playoff wins over the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

The team fell just short of the Lombardi Trophy with a 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl as Burrow went 22-of-33 passing for 263 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

If he is sidelined at any point during the 2022 campaign, the Bengals will likely turn toward backup Brandon Allen. He has started nine games for the Denver Broncos and Bengals during the last three seasons and has a 2-7 record.

Playing the waiting game is working out nicely for Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III.

Minkah Fitzpatrick reset the market when he signed a four-year, $73.6 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June that made him the NFL's highest-paid safety.

Now, the price for an elite safety has climbed even higher, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting the Los Angeles Chargers agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million pact with Derwin James.

That's bound to have major implications for the Bengals and Bates, who's set to play the 2022 NFL season on the franchise tag. Fans are already writing epitaphs for his Cincinnati tenure.

Bengals ownership has a longstanding reputation for being cheap. This offseason, the franchise has handed out $127.1 million in new contracts, but only $38.6 million of that is guaranteed. Per Over the Cap, the latter figure is the seventh-lowest in the league.

That's not necessarily how you'd expect a contender to act after being on the cusp of winning a Super Bowl just one year prior.

As much as last season's success created optimism for the future, how Cincinnati handles Bates will be a sign as to whether anything has actually changed within the organization. His departure would inevitably raise concerns about 2021 being an anomaly rather than the start of things to come.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is back at practice.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Burrow returned Sunday after missing approximately 2.5 weeks after he underwent surgery to remove his appendix.

The only other time he missed with an injury over his three-year career came during his 2020 rookie campaign when he tore his ACL and MCL 10 games into the season.

The 25-year-old emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL during the 2021 season, completing 70.4 percent of his passes for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He also rushed for 118 yards and two scores.

With Burrow under center, the Bengals defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game and reached the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1988 season. However, they fell to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20 in that game, which exposed some weaknesses on the team's offensive line.

In hopes of returning to the Super Bowl this coming season, the Bengals made some additions to their offensive line, signing center Ted Karras and right tackle La'el Collins in free agency.

If Burrow can stay healthy, Cincinnati will once again be the team to beat in the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, but he would, without question, trade that award for a Super Bowl ring.

"Hell yeah. Honestly, yeah. I'd trade that quick," Chase said when asked if he would make the swap during an appearance on the Pivot Podcast.

Chase beat out Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for the OROY award.

The 22-year-old had an incredible rookie season, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 games.

He added 25 catches for 368 yards and one touchdown in four playoff games. However, he and the Bengals came up just short in Super Bowl LVI, falling 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams.

That said, Chase has a long career ahead of him, and it's possible the Bengals reach the Super Bowl again this season, especially after making some upgrades to its offensive line, which was a big issue in 2021.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase made his list of the top five wide receivers in the NFL this week with his quarterback, Joe Burrow, by his side.

As seen in the following video courtesy of I Am Athlete, Chase largely compiled a list of veterans and left himself out of the top five:

Chase's list had Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1, Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 2, Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills at No. 3, Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams at No. 4 and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings at No. 5.

The Jefferson pick was perhaps the most surprising and discussed one since Chase declared himself better than Jefferson during an interview with NBC Sports' Peter King on Monday.

Chase also said during the I Am Athlete video that he didn't think Jefferson was better than him when asked by former NFL All-Pro wideout Brandon Marshall.

Marshall asked Burrow to compare Chase and Jefferson as well, but he was diplomatic in his response, saying they are different types of wide receivers, with each doing something well that the other doesn't.

Burrow was then put on the spot by Marshall and asked to reveal who he would choose between Chase and Jefferson if given the choice, to which he replied, "I plead the fifth."

Burrow and Chase have made for a lethal combination at both the collegiate and NFL levels thus far in their careers.

After leading LSU to an undefeated season and a national championship in 2019, they linked back up in 2021 after the Bengals selected Chase in the first round of the draft on the heels of making Burrow the No. 1 overall pick in 2020.

Burrow and Chase didn't miss a beat together, as Chase finished with 81 receptions for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning himself a Pro Bowl nod and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Also, Burrow and Chase helped lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl, where they ultimately fell 23-20 to the Rams.

If Chase isn't already a top-five wideout in the NFL, it seems likely that he will cement his status as one in 2022.

Paul Brown Stadium, which has served as the Cincinnati Bengals' home since 2000, will now go by Paycor Stadium after the Cincinnati-based human capital management software company purchased the naming rights for the building affectionally known as The Jungle.

The defending AFC champion's stadium was previously named after Bengals founder and ex-president Paul Brown, who presided over the team from 1968-91. His son, Bengals president Mike Brown, spoke about the change.

"This is a move that I think my father would have agreed to. He was always for what is best for the football team," Brown said in a press release announcing the decision. "This partnership allows the Bengals to continue to compete at the highest level in the NFL and exemplifies our long-term commitment to the community."

The Bengals and Paycor already had a working relationship before the naming rights agreement, as the company has served as the Bengals' sole HR software provider since 2018.

Paycor branding will be integrated through the stadium in the coming months, per the press release. The two sides will also have a preseason ceremony to unveil new branding in celebration of the naming rights deal.

Word emerged last month that the Bengals were looking to sell naming rights, and Brown confirmed the team's intentions on July 25, noting the endeavor would help the team amass funds for other goals.

According to Paula Christian, PJ O'Keefe and Christian LeDuc of WCPO 9 News, architecture and design firm Gensler Sports made the determination that it would cost over $493 million to maintain the Bengals' stadium over the next 20 years.

The Bengals also received city council approval in April for an interim indoor practice facility. Per its application for the facility (h/t Christian), the team is looking into a permanent indoor practice home.

This is an exciting time for the Bengals, who are sitting squarely in a wide-open championship window thanks to stars such as quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Cincinnati nearly won its first Super Bowl last season, but the Bengals could very well be back next year.

The Bengals' first regular-season game in Paycor Stadium will occur on Sept. 11 against AFC North rival Pittsburgh in a 1 p.m. ET game. The Steelers also recently completed a naming rights deal and will now play in Acrisure Stadium.