The Cincinnati Bengals have seen their season spiral without Joe Burrow. The former LSU QB went down with a turf toe injury back in Week 2 against the Jaguars, and was given a timeline to return of approximately three months after having surgery. The Bengals won each of Burrow's two starts in September to start the season 2-0, but have gone just 1-8 without him.
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But the 2x Pro Bowler appears to be trending in the right direction to play this week. On Monday, it was reported that Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor expects Burrow to play on Thanksgiving Day against Baltimore.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor says he expects QB Joe Burrow (toe) to play Thursday vs Ravens. pic.twitter.com/8GenTR8lJt
— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2025
Joe Burrow expected to start on Thanksgiving Day
Burrow practiced with Cincinnati's first team last week, and there was hope that he would be able to suit up against the Patriots this past Sunday. But unfortunately he wasn't able to go as Joe Flacco got the starting nod in Cincinnati's 26-20 loss. But after sitting out against the Patriots, Burrow is expected to start on Thursday against AFC East rival Baltimore.
On the season, Burrow has thrown for 189 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no interceptions in two games. Jake Browning was Burrow's backup early on this season, but after he struggled, the franchise brought in veteran Joe Flacco to be QB1 in Burrow's absence. He's provided a bit of an upgrade, but it hasn't resulted in much team success. Needless to say, Bengals fans are happy that Burrow is slated to return. Ja'Marr Chase will also be back after serving his one game suspension for an on-field altercation with Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey two weeks ago.
Unfortunately, Burrow's NFL career has been plagued by injuries. During his rookie season back in 2020, Burrow tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus in Week 11, which knocked him out for 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. But he has come back strong after each injury. Burrow's resiliency has led him to two NFL Comeback Player of the Year Awards in 2021 and 2024.