CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow resumed practice in a limited role Monday, beginning the Bengals’ 21-day window to return from injured reserve as he works back from turf-toe surgery on his left foot. While he would not pin down a specific game to return, Burrow said he is using the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day matchup at Baltimore on Nov. 27 as a benchmark in his recovery.
Burrow made clear several factors will influence the timetable, including how his body responds to increasing movement and the team’s needs. Cincinnati (3-6) has lost five of six since Burrow injured the toe in Week 2 against Jacksonville, and the club’s standing could play into the decision about when — or if — he comes back.
The quarterback reported that the surgical repair and his general physical condition feel solid, but he is still rebuilding the movement elements that will determine game readiness: running, cutting and making sudden stops.
Coach Zac Taylor said the club had anticipated this stage of the comeback. Monday’s work was cautious and planned: Burrow did not participate in 11-on-11 team drills and started with throws to receivers running routes without defenders, a normal early step in returning players to full practice. He also wore a different style of cleat with added hardware as he adjusts to the repaired toe.
Taylor praised Burrow’s dedication during rehab and called Monday the next step in a careful progression back to the field.
Burrow’s potential return comes after a string of prior setbacks in his career. He suffered a season-ending wrist injury two years ago at Baltimore, tore his left knee’s ACL and other ligaments as a rookie in 2020, had an appendectomy that affected the start of 2022 and battled a strained calf last season. He has twice been named the AP Comeback Player of the Year.
Burrow is not expected to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe Flacco, acquired from Cleveland ahead of Week 6, remains the starter and is being managed after dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder; Taylor said Flacco is feeling OK following the bye week.
With Flacco under center, Cincinnati has produced the NFL’s highest-scoring offense (32.8 points per game) but also the league’s worst scoring defense (36.0). Burrow said the team has struggled to play consistently on both sides of the ball at once, but he believes the Bengals remain in contention in a surprisingly muddled AFC North and can stay in the race through the stretch drive.
