Zac Taylor Sends Positive Joe Burrow Update Moments Before Week 2 Clash

Joe Burrow was limited on Wednesday and Thursday due to his back tightness but became a full participant on Friday. He had a clear intention of playing from the very start which was evident when he said, “If I’m not getting surgery, I’m going to be out there.”

Read more Bengals QB Joe Burrow (back) active vs. Texans

It’s Sunday and coach Zac Taylor confirms that Burrow is ready with no limitations.

” He feels good, he’s ready to go,” Taylor said Melanie Collins of CBS Sports. “We’re excited to take our team on the road and show what we’re capable of.”

Cincinnati has Joe Flacco behind Burrow, while Taylor said practice-squad quarterback Josh Johnson could potentially be elevated as a third option.

Defensive tackle B.J. Hill remains questionable with an Achilles issue after missing Friday’s practice. Defensive end Shemar Stewart, who missed Week 1 with a knee issue, is good to go after practicing fully all week. Jonathan Allen and Dexter Lawrence also appeared on the report for rest purposes, while Samaje Perine was dealing with a knee issue.

Burrow completed 25 of 35 passes for 254 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Week 1. The Bengals’ offensive challenge gets tougher against a Texans defense that struggled badly in the opener, allowing Buffalo to score 36 points.

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Zac Taylor Wants Ja’Marr Chase More Involved Against Texans

Ja’Marr Chase did not have the impact Cincinnati would normally expect from its star receiver in the opener. Taylor was asked how the Bengals plan to get Chase more involved against Houston.

“We’ll find him. I think over the course of this game, we’ve got a good plan in place,” Taylor noted when asked about getting Chase involved.

Houston on the other hand cannot afford another slow defensive start, entering at 0-1 in Week 2. Their defense allowed Dalton Kincaid and D.J. Moore to both top 100 receiving yards, exposing problems in coverage. Houston needs more pressure from Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter while tightening its coverage against Chase and Tee Higgins.

David Montgomery gives the Texans another way to control the game after scoring three touchdowns in his Houston debut. C.J. Stroud will need to spread the ball around while avoiding the turnovers that hurt Houston in Week 1.

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This story was originally published September 20, 2026 at 12:24 PM.