It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals are missing Joe Burrow. The former LSU legend went down with a turf toe injury back on September 14, and has been sidelined ever since. The Bengals are have gone 1-7 with Burrow sidelined, but a return could be on the horizon.
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On Thursday, ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported that Burrow practiced with Cincinnati's first team offense for the second day in a row. Schefter also stated that there is a possibility that Burrow suits up on Sunday against the Patriots.
For a second straight day today, Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been taking snaps with Cincinnati’s starting offense, preparing him for the possibility that he could play Sunday vs. New England. pic.twitter.com/bJxpxvAq3C
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2025
Joe Burrow taking snaps with Bengals starting offense in practice
When he suffered the turf toe injury in Week 2, Burrow was given a timeline to return of approximately three months following surgery. It's now been just under 2.5 months, and Burrow seems to be trending in the right direction. Head coach Zac Taylor announced on Friday that Burrow is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against New England.
Unfortunately, his turf toe injury is just the latest significant injury that the Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion has endured throughout his NFL career. In his rookie season back in 2020, Burrow tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus in Week 11, and missed the rest of the season. He dislocated his pinky in 2021, and suffered an MCL sprain in 2022. In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist and would miss the rest of the season. He's been resilient, though, winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2021 and 2024.
Burrow has played in just two games this season, throwing for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions. After Jake Browning struggled mightily, the Bengals made the move to bring in veteran QB Joe Flacco. He's been a slight upgrade, but Cincinnati's defensive woes haven't helped the offense in any way. If Burrow is able to play this weekend against the Patriots, he will be without his top target Ja'Marr Chase, who has been suspended for one game by the NFL for an on-field altercation with Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey last week.