Joe Burrow got a rousing reception from the football-starved crowd that went through Paul Brown Stadium's fully opened gates for the first time in nearly two years and as expected he departed as quickly as he bounded on the field for Sunday's first series.
Burrow, in his first appearance since the Nov. 22 torn ACL in Washington, gave an inside handoff to slot receiver Tyler Boyd on an end-around for a two-yard gain and on second down Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was true to his word and gave Burrow the safest of throws.
Burrow went play-action and fired a quick wide receiver screen to rookie Ja'Marr Chase on the left perimeter. But after his best practice as a pro Thursday, Chase flat out dropped it. And it caused chaos because it was close to the line of scrimmage for a potential fumble and right tackle Riley Reiff was nailed for a personal foul after the play.
Burrow handed off on third and Hamilton County and running back Joe Mixon ran into Reiff's back. But he bounced off and got five yards.
That was it for Burrow and the first offense after about 90 seconds. The ballcap was on and Brandon Allen was in.
Check out some of the top photos from the Week 3 preseason game as the Cincinnati Bengals faced the Miami Dolphins.
Running back Jacques Patrick breaks a tackle to rush in for a one-yard touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.
The Bengals defense celebrates a sack by defensive end Khalid Kareem against the Miami Dolphins in preseason action.
WR Ja'Marr Chase pregame at Paul Brown Stadium
QB Joe Burrow pregame
Cincinnati Bengals running back Trayveon Williams (32) runs between Miami Dolphins defensive back Nate Holley (36) and defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (93) in the first half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Members of the Stripes Squad pregame outside of Paul Brown Stadium
Bengals running back Chris Evans flexes after a 29-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Brandon Allen.
Bengals fans get ready for the game in the Jungle Zone, outside of Paul Brown Stadium
DE Khalid Kareem with a sack against Dolphins quarterback Reid Sinnett
QB Joe Burrow during pregame warmups
Miami Dolphins defensive back Nik Needham (40) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin (16) after a catch during the first half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
WR Tyler Boyd out in the endzone during pregame warmups
Quarterback Brandon Allen drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins.
'Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on the sideline before an NFL exhibition football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Trayvon Henderson (41) celebrates after an interception against the Miami Dolphins in the first half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) warms up on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie (49) breaks up a pass to Miami Dolphins running back Gerrid Doaks (23) in the second half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Kicker Evan McPherson celebrates with his teammates after converting a 57-yard field goal.
DE Sam Hubbard pregame
A pair of Bengals fans pose for a picture in a frame outside of Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates a field goal with holder Kevin Huber in the first half of an NFL exhibition football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
QB Joe Burrow during pregame warmups
Quarterback Joe Burrow throwing during pregame warmups at Paul Brown Stadium
Quarterback Joe Burrow hands the ball off to Joe Mixon in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins in preseason action at Paul Brown Stadium.
Safety Jessie Bates III during pregame warmups
Quarterbacks Brandon Allen and Joe Burrow running out of the tunnel at Paul Brown Stadium
Bengals superfan James "J.B." Brown leads the Ruler of the Jungle ceremony
Running back Chris Evans celebrates after catching a 29-yard touchdown pass against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.
RB Joe Mixon (left) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (right)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Austin Seibert (3) kicks an extra point from the hold of Kevin Huber in the first half of an NFL exhibition football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Kyle Shurmur (6) throws against the Miami Dolphins in the first half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor (11) is tackled by Miami Dolphins cornerback Jamal Perry (33) in the second half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Jacques Patrick (31) celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the second half of an NFL exhibition football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Defensive end Darius Hodge celebrates with his teammate after recording a sack against the Miami Dolphins in preseason action.
