“We’ve given Joe a day off every week,” Taylor said. “I didn’t time this up great. I kind of thought you guys were here yesterday, so he threw yesterday, so today is his day off.”
Burrow has been working back from November wrist surgery and remains on track in his return to regular football activities, Taylor said. He began throwing in April and has been a full participant in practices viewed by media up until Tuesday, but the last box to check will be taking contact. OTAs are non-contact.
Taylor said last week he was looking sharp in the first team drills of the offseason program, throwing against defenders for the first time since he tore a ligament in his wrist in a Week 10 game at Baltimore last year. However, he wasn’t placing any specific expectations on the quarterback as he continues to progress in his return from the injury.
On Tuesday, Taylor emphasized the need to remain cautious.
“Just trying to be preventative, for me,” Taylor said. “He’s been feeling really good. When players usually communicate they’re doing great, you push them a little too hard, so as the coach you’ve got to pull back on some of those guys. We’ve given him a day off every week.”
The Bengals’ practices have been voluntary, but next week they wrap up the offseason workout program with a three-day mandatory minicamp. Taylor said it remains to be seen if Burrow will participate in all three days because there is some flexibility with one of the minicamp days in terms of what the team will be doing.
Taylor confirmed there have been no setbacks.
“Anytime you ask for feedback from him things are always going really well,” Taylor said. “I’ve just learned in dealing with these players for a long time now that when things are going good, that’s good, but let’s be smart. We’ve really never gone more than two days in a row and we had three days this week we’re practicing, so we just gave him the middle day off.”
“During Phase 2 when we’re out here throwing you get more throws in the OTA days, because we’re doing 7-on-7, so there are a lot of reps there,” Taylor added. “We made that adjustment in Week 1 and counted the number of throws we’re doing. We’re monitoring his reps in practice. We’re trying to be proactive with the day.”
In other news Tuesday, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was in attendance for the first time during a session open to media this offseason. Taylor said he arrived Monday.
“It’s been good to get him out here and get him acclimated with how we do everything,” Taylor said. “He’s a pro, so he’s been doing a great job away from facility, so now it’s good to get him back in here for these last couple of weeks.”
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