Joe Burrow has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 3 turf toe injury during the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The superstar quarterback was able to notch full practice participation through two sessions in Week 12, but was not activated to return from injured reserve for Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots.
After being without Burrow for each of their last nine games, the Bengals are set to get a huge boost with his return in Week 13.
On Monday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he expects Burrow to take the field for Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens.
“He looks in good shape right now and will be ready to go,” Taylor told reporters.
Burrow appeared to confirm his return on social media, posting a clear message on Instagram.
“He’s back,” Burrow wrote along with an iconic photo of himself wearing a Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James jersey.
After starting the 2025 NFL season with a 2-0 record, the Bengals have lost eight of their nine games without Burrow. Veteran signal caller Joe Flacco has been under center for Cincinnati, recording 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions since joining the team in a midseason trade with the Cleveland Browns.
The Bengals hold third place in the AFC North standings with a 3-8 record, trailing the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers by three games. Burrow and his Cincinnati squad will face off against Baltimore in two of their next three games.
Burrow will be without elite wide receiver weapon Tee Higgins in Week 13 after he was ruled out with a concussion he suffered during Sunday’s Week 12 loss to the Patriots. That being said, Ja’Marr Chase will return to action following his one-game NFL suspension for spitting on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey in Week 11.
Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Ravens will kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET from Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.
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