November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nFlacco was limited in practices this week while managing a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, but that has been the case in recent weeks since injuring it at the end of the Oct. 26 loss to the New York Jets.<\/p>\n
Burrow, who sustained a turf toe injury on his left foot in Week 2 that required surgery, practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday this week before being limited Friday, splitting reps with Flacco. Those full practices would be necessary to play next Thursday regardless of his status for the Patriots game, because the short week only features lighter practices on the tight turnaround.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe has done everything he can to put himself in a position to get back,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cI have to take into account what I think is best for him. He\u2019s coming back off an injury. He\u2019s been out for a long time. I know he\u2019s of the right mindset and has done everything physically, and then I have to take into account what\u2019s the best thing for him, what\u2019s the best thing for our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bengals rank fourth in the NFL in points per drive since Flacco took over in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n
Burrow hinted that his goal was to return by Thanksgiving in a news conference the day he was cleared to come back to practice on Nov. 10. Players and coaches consistently agreed Burrow looked ready to play in practices this week and moved well in the pocket, displaying little issue throwing from any angle or distance in the portions open to the media.<\/p>\n
The initial diagnosis for recovery from this type of surgery was three months in the most aggressive timeline, which would have placed a return in mid-December. Burrow will be 65 days removed from surgery on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati is 3-7 on the season and lost seven of eight games in Burrow\u2019s absence. It boasts the worst defense in the history of the league by DVOA through 10 games. The Bengals are three games back of division-leading Pittsburgh and now face the Patriots without Burrow and Ja\u2019Marr Chase, suspended for a spitting incident in last Sunday\u2019s loss in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old Burrow was coming off a 2024 season where he played at an MVP level, won NFL Comeback Player of the Year (for the second time) and went to the Pro Bowl after throwing 43 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. He experienced his first fully healthy and uninterrupted training camp and preseason this year, only to see his season stopped after trying to avoid a sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 14.<\/p>\n
The Bengals have seven games left in the season. After playing the Patriots and Ravens, they travel to Buffalo, then take on the Ravens at home again before finishing against Miami, Arizona and Cleveland.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati was 4-8 last season after 12 games and went on to rip off five consecutive wins to close the year, but narrowly missed making the playoffs. Given the state of the team, the schedule and return after two months off, Burrow returning the Bengals back into relevancy would be an unprecedented development, regardless of when he returns.<\/p>\n
Burrow and Taylor have made clear that the quarterback\u2019s desire is to play, no matter the team\u2019s playoff status. When he\u2019s fully healthy and deemed ready to play, he\u2019ll do just that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWinning is important,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cObviously, he is who he is, and he gives us an outstanding chance to win games. \u2026 He wants to play football. He\u2019s a football player.\u201d<\/p>\n