Bengals' Jermaine Burton Misses Key Steelers Matchup Due to Coach's Decision
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh and will miss Saturday's pivotal game against the Steelers. The team cited a "coach's decision" for Burton’s absence, though no further details were provided.
The rookie wide receiver, who has served as the Bengals' primary kick returner for the past seven games, has faced challenges in his debut season. This marks another setback for the third-round pick out of Alabama, who was previously a healthy scratch during the Bengals' Week 9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
During that game, Burton was expected to play a significant role in the absence of starting wide receiver Tee Higgins. However, sources told ESPN that Burton missed a team walkthrough the day before, leading to his exclusion. Head coach Zac Taylor addressed the decision at the time, stating:
"As the week unfolded, there was a lot of positive feedback about him," Taylor said on November 3. "But late in the week, certain things need to be handled the right way. It was a difficult decision to make him inactive, but it was the right one based on all the information we had."
Concerns about Burton’s maturity surfaced even before he joined the Bengals. After transferring from Georgia to Alabama during his college career, Burton’s consistency and discipline were questioned. Following the draft, Taylor acknowledged, "There are maturity things some players need to develop, and that’s something he’ll continue to work on."
Adding to his struggles, Hamilton County court records show Burton is facing a civil lawsuit from his landlord, along with an eviction notice from his apartment, which is located just a short distance from Paycor Stadium, where the Bengals train and play.
Despite these issues, Burton has shown flashes of promise. Last week, teammate Tee Higgins commended the rookie for his positive attitude after Higgins fumbled in a game against the Denver Broncos. Burton encouraged Higgins to stay focused, which ultimately paid off as Higgins caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
In 14 games this season, Burton has recorded four receptions for 107 yards. On special teams, he ranks 10th in the league with an average of 29.1 yards per kickoff return. His absence will be felt as the Bengals face a crucial AFC North battle against the Steelers.