November 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cI think he\u2019s ready for this part of the recovery, to come back on a limited basis and progress it on the field with the players,\u201d Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. \u201cInternally, this was always a good timeline for us. He\u2019s worked really hard to get to this point, to get back on the field in a limited form.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cincinnati\u2019s offense has thrived since Joe Flacco took over at quarterback in Week 6. They rank No. 1 in EPA\/play in that span.<\/p>\n
Burrow is also expected to speak to the media after practice on Monday for the first time since his injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just Day 1, just get out there and at least throw routes on air with the receivers. Then start progressing that way,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cYou have this great opportunity for these next couple weeks to start inching his way forward and then see if he can play for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
What does this mean?<\/p>\n
The Bengals keep hope alive, much as they have been. Once Burrow was injured, the point of this entire season was keeping the team relevant and in play for a postseason spot until he could return and they could hand him the ball for a playoff run. Flacco\u2019s impressive performance and the complete disaster on the defensive side of the ball have made his situation less notable in the big picture of 2025. The Bengals\u2019 defense ranks among the worst in NFL history, not just the worst in the league this year.<\/p>\n
What does this say about Burrow?<\/p>\n
This suggests things are going well in his recovery from the toe injury. He had surgery and has been seen on the sidelines of recent games. He no longer needed a walking boot, appeared to be walking without limitations and was even doing soft toss on the sideline during the last game against Chicago.<\/p>\n
He jogged and threw without issue in his return to practice Monday. He looks to be at the front of the original timeline and could be in line for a return in early December, with Thanksgiving not all the way off the table. All this while the 3-6 Bengals enter a critical three-game stretch against Pittsburgh, New England and then on Thanksgiving in Baltimore, as they attempt to keep their season alive. Even if the Bengals are out of it, don\u2019t expect Burrow to stand down on his desire to get back under center.<\/p>\n