The Cincinnati Bengals are hopeful that superstar quarterback Joe Burrow can return to the starting lineup for the season opener against the Cleveland Browns. They are easing him back into action as he participates in practice, but avoids full-speed activities.

Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan says he likes what he sees from Burrow as he recovers from a calf strain that impacted him early in the summer, but there is no need to push Burrow at this point in the preparation for the 2023 season.

“You can tell he’s in shape, and his arm’s in shape, and his timing is good,” Callahan said. “All those things didn’t seem to be affected at all. That was a positive thing. You never know until you get out there what it’s going to look like. That part was great. He looked good the last two days.”

Burrow has been in the position of missing most of training camp before. He suffered an appendectomy a year ago and missed nearly all of Cincinnati's preseason activity. It didn't appear to hurt the quarterback or the team  as the Bengals reached the AFC title game before suffering a narrow loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

While Burrow has been sidelined from participating in on-field practice activities throughout training camp, it hasn't prevented him from coaching quarterbacks and offensive players as the team prepares to defend its AFC North title.

The Bengals hope to have Joe Burrow in the lineup against the Browns. “I think he’s in a good place, and we’ve got a good plan in place for him to get ready for Week 1,” Callahan said.