Bengals’ Jermaine Burton out vs. Steelers by coach’s decision

PITTSBURGH — Cincinnati Bengals vast receiver Jermaine Burton didn’t journey with the crew to Pittsburgh and can miss Saturday’s key contest in opposition to the Steelers.

In response to the crew, Burton was left in Cincinnati due to a coach’s determination. The rookie had been the crew’s main kick returner over the previous seven video games. The Bengals should win Saturday to protect their probability at a playoff berth.

That is the most recent misstep for the crew’s third-round pick of Alabama. Earlier this 12 months, Burton was a wholesome scratch for a Week 9 win in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders. With beginning vast receiver Tee Higgins out for that contest, Burton was anticipated to have a major position within the sport plan.

Sources instructed ESPN that Burton didn’t play after he missed a walk-through the day earlier than the sport. After that sport, Bengals coach Zac Taylor defined the rationale for the choice.

“Because the week unfolded, there was a whole lot of constructive issues individuals had been saying about him,” Taylor mentioned Nov. 3. “It was all true. After which late within the week … we have simply obtained to deal with enterprise the appropriate means. And so, I can sit right here and say it was a tough determination to make him inactive, however it was completely the appropriate determination with all the data we had.”

When the Bengals drafted Burton, Taylor was requested about considerations when including the rookie who transferred to Alabama from Georgia.

“There is definitely maturity issues that include a few of these guys popping out of those faculties, and that is one of many issues he’ll proceed to develop with,” Taylor mentioned in April.

Along with the coach’s determination, Hamilton County (Ohio) courtroom data present Burton is going through a lawsuit from his landlord and an eviction discover from his residence, which is positioned 0.1 miles from Paycor Stadium, the place the Bengals practice and play.

Burton had drawn reward as lately as final week. Higgins lauded the rookie for uplifting him following a fumble in opposition to the Denver Broncos. Burton instructed Higgins to brush off the error and put together for a possible game-winning landing. Higgins finally caught the walk-off rating in a 30-24 extra time win.

In 14 video games this season, Burton has caught 4 passes for 107 yards. On particular groups, he’s tenth within the league with 29.1 yards per kickoff return.