Who Should I Start? Brett Rypien or Joe Burrow

Tuesday, September 16, 12:15 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals are signing quarterback Brett Rypien from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Tuesday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With starter Joe Burrow (toe) out around three months after having surgery on his injured toe, Rypien is now in line to serve as the backup to Jake Browning, starting in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. For more QB depth, Cincinnati added signal-callers Mike White and Sean Clifford to their practice squad on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Rypien will be trying to hold off both White and Clifford in the coming weeks for the backup gig in Cincy. Rypien went undrafted out of Boise State before making his NFL debut in 2020 with the Denver Broncos. He played three years in Denver before joining the Los Angeles Rams as a backup in 2023. Rypien has appeared in only 10 games in four seasons and has made four starts in the NFL.

Tuesday, September 16, 2:26 PM

With their worst fears confirmed, the Cincinnati Bengals have officially placed quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) on IR and signed Brett Rypien to the active roster. Burrow exited Sunday's game after suffering a Grade 3 turf toe injury while taking a second-quarter sack. Burrow has elected to undergo surgery and is expected to miss at least three months. Rypien will serve as a backup to quarterback Jake Browning, who was able to step in on Sunday and lead the Bengals to a hard-fought 31-27 victory over the Jaguars. Browning was 4-3 in his seven starts in 2023, the last time he filled in for an injured Burrow, and can be viewed as a desperation play by fantasy managers in 2QB/SF leagues.