Video from previous coverage.
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Joe Burrow is not expected to play during Sunday’s game at Paycor Stadium against the Patriots, according to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Bengals are not activating QB Joe Burrow by today’s 4 pm deadline, meaning he will be unable to play Sunday, per source. His debut will have to wait another week until Thanksgiving night against Baltimore.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2025
Head coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that Burrow will participate in 11-on-11 practice.
The star quarterback had been practicing in a limited capacity since returning to practice on Nov. 10.
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Bengals Joe Burrow (9) returns to practice on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
Bengals Joe Burrow (9) returns to practice on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.(Phil Didion/The Enquirer)
Burrow’s Nov. 10 return opened a 21-day window for the Bengals to activate him to the roster. He went on the Injured Reserve list on Sept. 16.
Return timeline remains uncertain
The lingering question remains whether Burrow will play again this season. Following his return to practice, Burrow met with reporters and answered questions about his timeline.
Burrow repeatedly said, “We’ll see how the next couple of weeks go.” He discussed variables like the Bengals’ record that will factor into his decision to return.
“We have 21 days to figure that out,” Burrow said when asked if he plans to play again this season.
Since going on IR in September, it was expected that Burrow would not return until sometime in December.
NFL insiders weigh in on return date
On Nov. 10, two reports from NFL insiders discussed return dates for Burrow. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “A December return is real.”
FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer said he talked with Burrow recently. Burrow originally said his timeline to return is “Thanksgiving-ish.”
A Thanksgiving return would put Burrow back for the Bengals’ showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
When asked if his goal is to be back for the Ravens game on Thanksgiving, he once again did not give a yes or no answer, instead repeating “We’ll see.”
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