Joe Burrow wins NFL Comeback Player of the Year award

Joe Burrow became the NFL’s second two-time Comeback Player of the Year winner Thursday.

The award, voted on by the Associated Press, was announced during the 14th annual NFL Honors ceremony, heading into Super Bowl weekend.

Burrow returned from a season-ending injury in 2023 to lead the league in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns this year with career-highs across the board.

The Cincinnati Bengals star, who won the 2019 Heisman on his way to LSU’s national championship, finished this season 460-for-652 (70.6%) for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns to just nine interceptions.

Burrow had previously won the award in 2021 after having his rookie season in 2020 cut short by injury.

He joins quarterback Chad Pennington in 2006 with the New York Jets and 2008 with the Miami Dolphins as the only two-time Comeback Player of the Year winners since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

San Diego Chargers running back Paul Lowe also won the award for the AFL twice in 1963 and 1965, the first and third years of the Associated Press awards determined separately for the two leagues at the time.

Burrow topped Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins, New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin for this year’s honors.

He was also a finalist for the league’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley won the Offensive Player of the Year out of a group of finalists included Burrow, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow’s college and professional teammate.

Finalists for MVP, which has yet to be announced include Burrow, Barkley, Jackson, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

Burrow had already been announced as the Pro Football Writers Association’s winner of its Comeback Player of the Year award, which he also won in 2021.

He is the third two-time winner of the PFWA award, joining both Pennington in 2006 and 2008 and running back Garrison Hearst in 1995 with the Arizona Cardinals and 2001 with the San Francisco 49ers.

Hearst shared the 1995 award with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

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