Zac Taylor gives update on Joe Burrow’s status, Evan McPherson wows crowd with 65-yard field goal

The Cincinnati Bengals practiced inside Paul Brown Stadium in front of 28,283 fans on Saturday.

Quarterback Joe Burrow was not present as he continues to recover from his appendectomy that took place earlier this week. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was asked about the status of his quarterback and when he’s expected to be back practicing and he reiterated his message about not putting a timeline on his return.

“I don’t have any timetable,” Taylor said. “We’re trying to give him some privacy and I’m sure he’ll be back in when he’s ready.”

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The news of Burrow needing an appendectomy came as a surprise on the eve of the start date of training camp. Burrow reported with the rookies and the rest of the quarterbacks on July 23 and participated in the first two days of on-field work. According to backup quarterback Brandon Allen, Burrow threw on both days but was experiencing some cramping. His symptoms must have worsened, ultimately resulting in his decision to get the appendectomy.

The usual timeline for an appendectomy recovery is around two weeks. It could certainly be more or less depending on how Burrow’s body recovers and the Bengals will give him all of the time he needs to ensure he returns to full strength.

It’s unlikely Burrow and most of the Bengals’ starters see any playing time in the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 12.

Bengals' Evan McPherson makes the play of the day at stadium practice

McPherson took the city of Cincinnati and the NFL by storm last season, his first.

With one of the best rookie seasons for a kicker to date, it doesn’t appear McPherson will be a one-year wonder. McPherson nailed a 65-yard field goal to end practice and the crowd went crazy. The 23-year-old said he and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons planned to end practice with a show for the fans.

“We definitely planned it to give a show to the fans in attendance that it's actually possible,” McPherson said following practice. “On a nice warm day like that the ball's compressing really well and I just hit that ball pretty well."

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McPherson became a clutch player for the Bengals as the team embarked on its  postseason run. He made 28-of-33 field goals and 46 of 48 extra points in the regular season.

Some of his most memorable moments in the postseason were his two 52-yard field goals against the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.

In total, he made five game-winning walk off field goals as time expired. His nine field goals from 50-plus yards were the most by a Bengal for an entire career and his 14 postseason field goals tied Indianapolis Colts’ longtime kicker Adam Vinatieri’s NFL playoff record from the 2006 season.

The Bengals found a hidden gem in McPherson after drafting him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Florida.

According to McPherson, now with one full NFL season under his belt, he believes he could push his limits even further in the upcoming season. Depending on the weather conditions, McPherson says a 68-yard field goal isn’t out of his range.

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“If the situations were right at the end of the half or the end of a game I think we're comfortable from 68 - around there,” McPherson said. “Indoor it's more 65-66. Outside you normally have kind of a wind aid -- or hurt. Definitely into the wind we're not going to try anything longer 62."

Cincinnati’s offense greatly benefits from having McPherson on its roster now. The Bengals hope to be better in the red zone in the upcoming season but if they are unable to end a drive with a touchdown, McPherson almost automatically gives the Bengals at least three points.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow update, Evan McPherson wows crowd at Bengals' stadium practice