Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, sidelined since Week 2 with a turf toe injury, returned to limited practice last week but has no confirmed return date. Reports suggest possible comebacks in Week 13 against the Ravens or Week 14 against the Bills. Burrow emphasized taking it day by day as the team struggles with a 1-7 record since his absence.
Joe Burrow, the Bengals' Pro Bowl quarterback and the top overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been out since sustaining a turf toe injury in Week 2. Last week, he participated in 7-on-7 drills during practice, with plans to progress to 11-on-11 work against the scout team this week. CBS Sports' Melanie Collins reported after Cincinnati's 34-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11 that there is no definitive return date for Burrow.
"A number of reports have come out about when he'll return to the field," Collins said. "I was told by the Bengals this morning that Week 13 against the Ravens is a possibility, as is Week 14 against the Bills. But as of now, no definitive return date for Joe Burrow."
Burrow acknowledged the uncertainty, noting multiple variables factor into his timeline. "The number one is how [the toe] is feeling ... So we'll just take it day by day, like we have been throughout the rehab process," he said last week. He added that returning in Baltimore, the site of his 2023 season-ending injury, would be "very" meaningful.
In Burrow's absence, the Bengals started 0-3 with Jake Browning at quarterback before trading for Joe Flacco from Cleveland. Flacco has provided steady play, but Cincinnati has gone 1-7 overall since the injury. The team's defense has struggled, allowing the Steelers to convert more than half of their third-down attempts in the recent loss, while the offense committed two turnovers leading to Pittsburgh touchdowns.
Burrow's accolades include leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021 and nearly repeating in 2022 with MVP consideration. Last season, he earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors, topping the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns.