WATCH: Burrow Leads Touchdown Drive in Strong Return to Action Against Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense struggled to get off the field on the first drive of the preseason, dealing with Joe Burrow who looked fresh in his return from a season-ending injury in 2023.

While the Bucs starters enjoyed a bit of a rest day through the team's first preseason contest, Cincinnati had different plans in mind for getting some run out of a few of their top crew.

The Bengals' quarterback led his group on a 12-play, 73-yard drive to start Saturday's game, capping it off with a 10-yard strike to Tee Higgins.

The ensuing extra point gave Cincinnati a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. But despite the impressive march down the field, Tampa Bay tried in earnest to make the home team earn their way to the game's first score.

Kaevon Merriweather had a strong opening drive, creating a pass breakup that saved a touchdown on a deep throw from Burrow to Higgins earlier in the possession.

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However, the Bucs did themselves no favors in that first sequence. Two third-down conversions and a head-scratching pass interference penalty essentially sealed the group's fate on a rough start.

Burrow exited the game after the successful opening drive, needing no more evidence he is ready for a full return in 2024. His backup Jake Browning took over under center for the Bengals.