Joe Burrow is back for the Cincinnati Bengals, sensationally returning from his severe turf toe injury ahead of schedule despite the franchise slim hopes of reaching the playoffs
21:59 ET, 27 Nov 2025
Joe Burrow has returned with the Bengals at 3-8
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Joe Burrow has returned with the Bengals at 3-8(Image: Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed his delight at returning from injury — insisting he rushed back “to play a kid’s game.”
Back in September, Bengals quarterback Burrow sustained a toe injury during the opening half of his team’s 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burrow tumbled awkwardly following a takedown by Arik Armstead in the second quarter and was initially seen attempting to walk toward the locker room unassisted.
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Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that may require surgery and was set to sideline him for at least three months. But he has returned ahead of schedule, facing the Baltimore Ravens in a crucial AFC North showdown on Thanksgiving.
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Asked why he rushed back even with the Bengals at 3-8 and unlikely to make the playoffs, Burrow showed his professional mentality. He told NBC Sports: “We're getting paid a lot of money to play a kid's game.
“I love playing. I just want to put on a show for the fans, be out there with my guys, go and play well.”
He added: “I’m just excited to play [and] have some fun with the guys.”
Burrow is playing against the Ravens with a carbon fiber plate in his cleat, a protective measure for his injured turf toe. When quizzed over how his game could be affected by the plate, the 28-year-old was calm and dismissed any fears.
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“We’ll see. I don’t think it will have much impact,” Burrow said.
“[I] feel pretty good moving around, feel pretty good throwing, so excited to be back out there.”
Before being sidelined with the injury, Burrow had completed 21 of 36 passes with a 58.3 percent completion rate. He also compiled 189 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 91.1 passer rating as the Bengals moved to 2-0 before plummeting down the standings with backup Jake Browning under center.
Joe Burrow's Bengals are unlikely to make the playoffs
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Joe Burrow's Bengals are unlikely to make the playoffs(Image: Getty Images)
The Bengals are languishing at 3-8, but the Ravens entered the Thanksgiving clash with an overall record of 6-5 while sitting atop the AFC North.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are also 6-4, losing four of their last six games to lose control of the division.
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With Lamar Jackson back from injury, the Ravens are well-positioned to win the division. However, there are some concerns over the two-time MVP’s recent performances, with even his mother ‘cussing him out’ amid speculation he rushed back.