Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase were both seen sporting drastic new looks when they arrived at training camp on Tuesday (July 23).
The former LSU standouts both appeared to have buzzed their heads with Burrow having dyed his hair bleach blond and Chase cutting off his braids. The hairstyle changes came two months after a fake photo of Burrow with long hair went viral on social media.
"I wish I had that hair," Burrow said during an appearance on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take podcast earlier this month. "I don't have the patience for that hair."
The Bengals announced Burrow's return to the practice field on May 6, which included throwing passes less than six full months after suffering a torn ligament in his throwing wrist.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters that Burrow suffered the torn ligament during the November 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which was confirmed by an MRI the following morning. Backup Jake Browning took over in Burrow's absence and went 4-3 in seven starts.
Burrow, who wore a compression sleeve during the Thursday Night Football loss, denied having experienced the injury prior to the game.
"This is a completely different thing. It's not uncommon for guys to wear compression sleeves on the plane. When you go up to that altitude, things can swell up," Burrow told reporters via NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano. "This is a completely new injury."
Burrow appeared to be dealing with pain on his final play, a 4-yard touchdown pass to then-Bengals running back Joe MIxon, before ultimately being ruled out just before halftime. Burrow wasn't, however, listed on the Bengals' injury report and the NFL is reportedly investigating that decision, a league official confirmed to ESPN the following morning.
Burrow threw for 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading the Bengals to a 5-4 record, prior to his injury. The former No. 1 overall pick signed a five-year, $275 million deal, which made him the highest-paid player in NFL history, last September.
Chase recorded 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, having recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards during each of his first three seasons.