CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow didn’t want to commit to an exact return date, but he said Monday he’s targeting the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 27 as a meaningful milestone as he works back from a turf-toe injury to his left foot.
Burrow officially resumed practice in a limited role Monday, starting the team’s 21-day window for a return from injured reserve. He said there are many variables to weigh over the coming weeks and that the team’s record could be one factor in the decision-making process; Cincinnati (3-6) has dropped five of six games since Budrow hurt his toe in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“We’ll see how these next couple weeks go,” Burrow said, acknowledging the uncertain timeline. He said the repair and his overall physical condition feel good, but that he’s still working through the movement side — the running, cutting and quick stops that will determine readiness.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor noted the expected internal timeline for Burrow to resume practicing. Monday’s session was limited — Burrow did not take part in 11-on-11 team drills and began with throws to receivers running routes without defenders, the typical early step in a return progression. Burrow also wore a different pair of cleats with additional hardware as he continues to adjust.
“It’s exciting when you see a guy who has put so much into coming back on the front end of a difficult injury,” Taylor said. “He’s done everything you can to get himself back on the field, so this is just the next stage of his progression.”
Burrow’s return would come amid the latest in a string of career setbacks. He suffered a season-ending wrist injury in a November prime-time game at M&T Bank Stadium two years ago, tore his ACL and other ligaments in his left knee as a rookie in 2020, had an appendectomy that affected the start of 2022 and a strained calf that impacted 2023. He is a two-time AP Comeback Player of the Year.
Burrow will not play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe Flacco, acquired from the Cleveland Browns ahead of Week 6, remains the starter and is expected to be managed through the week after dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Taylor said Flacco appears to be “feeling OK” following the bye.
A healthy Burrow could provide a lift for a Bengals squad facing a steep climb back into contention. Since Flacco took over in Week 6, Cincinnati has the NFL’s top scoring offense (32.8 points per game) and the league’s worst scoring defense (36.0). Burrow said the team has struggled to perform well on both sides of the ball simultaneously but believes they remain in the mix in a competitive AFC North.
“Everything is still there in front of us,” Burrow said. “Very rare that our division looks like this, but it does this year. And so, I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.”
