Joe Burrow Nears Return with the Bengals
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one step closer to returning to action on the field. According to the team’s injury report, Burrow fully participated in Wednesday’s practice. This is the first time the Pro Bowl quarterback has been 100% in practice since suffering a toe injury on September 14 against Jacksonville. Wednesday also marked the first time Burrow did 11-on-11 drills in his return to practice. He is still within a 21-day window that allows him to participate without being on the active roster. Before practice, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was asked if Burrow could start in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Taylor downplayed the idea.Burrow has considered Thanksgiving as a possible return date from the injury that required surgery and has caused him to miss the last seven games. After practice, Burrow did not offer any indication as to what his schedule might look like. When Burrow spoke with reporters last week, he indicated that the team’s record could influence his return. Cincinnati (3-7) has lost seven of its last eight games and is on a three-game losing streak before Sunday’s home game against the Patriots (9-2), who are tied for the best record in the AFC. Joe Flacco, who has been the starter in the last five games since being acquired via trade, had limitations due to a sprain in his right shoulder. The 40-year-old veteran has been playing with the injury since he suffered it towards the end of the team’s Week 9 loss to the New York Jets on October 26. Before the last two games, the team has managed Flacco’s workload at the beginning of the week. Given Burrow’s timeline, this raises the possibility that Sunday could be Flacco’s last scheduled start in Cincinnati. Flacco said that although he hasn’t thought about the idea, it has crossed his mind.Until we go through some practices, there is no reason to speculate about that.
Zac Taylor, Bengals Coach
After a difficult start to the season with the Cleveland Browns, Flacco has flourished in Cincinnati, even with a throwing shoulder injury. Despite a win in five games, Flacco has completed 63.4% of his passes for 1,453 yards, 12 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Flacco is in the final stretch of a one-year contract. He said that his time with the Bengals has strengthened his belief that he can be a starting quarterback in 2026. Flacco said he hopes this reinforces in someone’s mind that he can do it, and that he still wants to do it. He feels he can still do it and this obviously helps with the confidence of being able to do it and all that. He would like to have a chance, but you never know.It’s in your head to a certain extent. But I don’t really worry about it that much. I think as long as I keep my head down and keep preparing like I do and then act like I don’t notice, that will be best for me.
Joe Flacco
