Joe Burrow to sit in Bengals’ preseason finale after fan outrage

Joe Burrow won’t be running for his life this week.

The Bengals’ star quarterback will not play in the third and final preseason game Saturday against the Colts following the polarizing decision to play Burrow for three drives in the second game Monday.

Burrow left himself exposed while trying to scramble on one play, and three Commanders players sacked him in a vicious hit that had some fans questioning the team’s decision.

“I’m not anticipating any starters playing,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday.

“I haven’t talked in depth with the players about this third game. I’ve talked to Joe, I haven’t specifically told these guys they’re not playing, but they’re not playing.”

Taylor opted to change Cincinnati’s preseason plan this year after the team started 0-2 in each of the last three seasons, which has led to two straight years without postseason play.

Instead of keeping Burrow sidelined like other teams do with their star quarterbacks, such as Buffalo with Josh Allen, the Bengals have had their $275 million man playing in exhibition games.

Burrow played in two series in the preseason opener against the Eagles on Aug. 7, and then three Monday against Washington, including the controversial play.

Instead of sliding, Burrow attempted to extend a play on third down and ultimately had three defenders take him to the turf.

“Go down, Joe, it’s August,” ESPN announcer Joe Buck said.

Taylor did not enjoy watching that play, but noted the preseason is intended for those types of moments so players can learn.

“It’s one of those things for him, that’s what preseason football’s for. Do I love seeing that? No, I don’t,” Taylor said. “But, at the same time, he’s out there learning what he can and can’t do and we’ve seen him get out of that stuff before and that’s why he’s playing in the preseason, for a chance to feel what it’s like to feel in a game and there’s times where he gets out of that and gets a big play and times where we’re in a tough spot at the two-yard line. He gets a chance to feel all that and learn from it.

“I think it was three good series that we’ll continue to learn from.”

This season will be a critical one for the Bengals, who have disappointed the past two years following back-to-back runs to the Super Bowl and AFC Championship in the 2021 and 2022 playoffs, respectively.

The Bengals have star players in Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but a faulty defense has failed them.

That porous defense is a major reason why ESPN analyst Ryan Clark said the team is “absolutely” wasting Burrow’s prime years.

Cincinnati opens the season Sept. 7 at Cleveland.

“I feel good about where our team’s at right now,” Taylor said. “I’m excited to get through the preseason and go play games because I see what I see in practice. So, I’m just really excited from top to bottom about a lot of the players we have.”