Bengals supporters, brace yourselves for a potential Thanksgiving miracle – your star quarterback Joe Burrow is gearing up to hit the gridiron again, just when the team's rough patch has everyone down in the dumps!
The Cincinnati Bengals have endured a tough beginning to the 2025 NFL season, stumbling to a 3-8 record that leaves little room for holiday cheer. But as they gear up to clash with the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day, there's a glimmer of hope that could inject some excitement into this matchup. The Ravens, dominating the AFC North at the moment, present a formidable challenge, yet Burrow's comeback might just level the playing field a bit.
Let's dive into the latest on Burrow's availability for this pivotal game, especially since he's been laser-focused on making it back for this festive showdown. For those new to NFL lingo, a quarterback's return like this isn't just about one game – it can shift team morale and strategy in ways that ripple through the remaining weeks.
Will Joe Burrow Suit Up Today?
Absolutely – after sitting out for nine straight games due to a nagging toe issue, Burrow is confirmed to step back into the Bengals' starting role during Week 13. This marks a huge moment for Cincinnati, as they've been scrambling without their franchise leader.
Head coach Zac Taylor broke the news on November 24, expressing confidence that Burrow would be under center for the Thanksgiving tilt against Baltimore. To add to the buzz, Burrow himself dropped a subtle clue on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself in a LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers jersey with the simple words, 'He's back.' It's the kind of cryptic post that gets fans speculating and excited all at once.
This development wasn't entirely out of left field. The team activated Burrow's 21-day practice window back on November 10, which is basically NFL speak for giving an injured player a limited time to ease back into drills and see if they're ready for action. It showed everyone that his recovery was progressing steadily.
Although Burrow couldn't suit up for the Bengals' disappointing loss to the New England Patriots in Week 12, he did participate fully in practices leading up to it. For beginners, full practice means he's handling the rigors of game prep without limitations, a key sign that his body is holding up.
How Did Joe Burrow Get Hurt in the First Place?
The setback happened early in the season, during Cincinnati's Week 2 triumph over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burrow took a brutal sack from defensive lineman Arik Armstead in the first half, twisting awkwardly as he went down and jamming his left foot into the turf. He lay on the field for a bit, clearly in pain, before the Bengals' trainers rushed to his side and helped him hobble off to the locker room. Watching him limp away was heartbreaking for fans – you could see he was struggling to bear any weight on that foot.
He didn't return to the game, and scans later confirmed a severe Grade 3 turf toe injury. If you're wondering what turf toe is, it's a sprain of the big toe joint caused by the foot getting forced upward into the turf, often from those high-impact collisions in football. It's sneaky painful because it affects how you push off while running or throwing, and for a quarterback like Burrow who relies on mobility, it's a real nightmare. He underwent surgery to fix it and was projected to be sidelined for about three months, which is why the Bengals had to navigate so much of the season without him. Examples of similar injuries in the NFL include cases like those affecting running backs, but for QBs, it disrupts the entire offensive rhythm.
Cincinnati's Performance in Burrow's Absence
Without their ace signal-caller, the Bengals managed a dismal 1-8 record over those nine contests. Their single bright spot? A thrilling 33-31 escape against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football, where veteran backup Joe Flacco stepped up big time, tossing 342 yards and three scores to pull off the win. But overall, the losses piled up, highlighting just how vital Burrow is to this squad. And this is the part most people miss: even with solid backups, a team's identity often crumbles without its star QB, raising questions about depth in modern NFL rosters.
Cincinnati's Quarterback Lineup with Burrow Back
Now that Burrow is returning, here's a quick peek at the Bengals' QB pecking order, which shapes how the team approaches games and injuries:
- Joe Burrow – The undisputed starter, bringing his elite arm and leadership.
- Joe Flacco – The reliable veteran who filled in admirably.
- Jake Browning – The young backup who's still finding his footing.
Flacco, acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, took the reins for six starts and went 1-5, but he showed his chops by hitting 61.6% of his passes for 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just four picks. It's a reminder that experience can steady the ship, even if wins are scarce.
Browning, who was Burrow's initial understudy, struggled in his three outings, going 0-3 with a 64.8% completion rate, 771 yards, six TDs, and eight interceptions before getting benched for Flacco. Meanwhile, the practice squad featured Sean Clifford during Burrow's downtime, but they let him go to clear the way for the star's full reintegration.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is bringing Burrow back now, with the playoffs looking like a long shot, worth risking further injury? Some fans argue it could salvage pride and build momentum for next year, while others see it as unnecessary exposure for a player who's already battled so many ailments. What do you think – should teams prioritize player health over late-season games, or is gutting it out the mark of true competitors? Drop your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're optimistic about this Bengals revival or if you believe it's too little, too late!
