Jermaine Burton’s Absence Shakes Up Bengals Ahead of Steelers Showdown

The Cincinnati Bengals are headed to Pittsburgh to contest the Steelers without one of their newcomers.

As reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway, head coach Zac Taylor has opted not to have wide receiver Jermaine Burton accompany the squad and he will remain in Cincinnati.

This isn’t the first instance where the rookie has been an unexpected inactive. He also missed the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Eagles after allegedly failing to attend a walkthrough. The reason behind Taylor’s decision remains undisclosed, and it might always stay that way.

Nevertheless, it is quite evident at this point that Burton is the player other teams were apprehensive about when they chose not to draft the promising wide receiver.

Although Burton has shown bursts of potential on the field when given chances or when forced into action due to injuries, he hasn’t secured increased playing time. In fact, the opposite has occurred, as his opportunities have dwindled. He hasn’t received any targets in the passing game since Week 11, and besides special teams, Burton has had minimal field time.

The Bengals are entering another critical scenario against the Pittsburgh Steelers away from home. It’s regrettable that there is a need to leave a fellow teammate behind when the primary focus should be on what is essentially a postseason game.