Burrow tops Prescott for NFL Comeback Player of the Year award

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was named the NFL's 2021 Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday.

Burrow received 28 votes, seven more than Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott. Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James earned one vote.

After tearing his ACL and MCL as a rookie in 2020, Burrow led all passers with a 70.4% completion rate in 2021. He threw for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns against 14 interceptions through 16 appearances despite being sacked a league-high 51 times.

Burrow struggled with turnovers early this season, tossing nine interceptions through his first eight games. However, the 25-year-old recovered in the campaign's second half and threw for 14 touchdowns to five picks from Weeks 9-17, helping the Bengals win their first AFC North title since 2015 before leading them to Super Bowl LVI.

He's the fourth straight quarterback to be named Comeback Player of the Year after Andrew Luck (2018), Ryan Tannehill (2019), and Alex Smith (2020).

Prescott was the preseason favorite for the award after suffering a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in October 2020. He finished 2021 with 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

James didn't play in 2020 due to a torn meniscus.