The Cincinnati Bengals announced that their starting quarterback Joe Burrow is back for their Thanksgiving matchup against Baltimore. The team posted a hype video on their X account with the caption “He’s back.”
He was then officially taken off Injured Reserve and moved on to the active roster. Burrow had been out since suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2.
Burrow’s Return
Burrow practiced last week with the Bengals first-team offense, leading many to believe he might play on Sunday. However, the Bengals opted to wait, and instead give another start to veteran backup Joe Flacco.
The Bengals have faltered in Burrow’s absence. They went 2-0 in the games he started, a rare hot start for the team that had struggled to start the past few seasons. Without their Pro Bowl QB, the Bengals went 1-8.
Burrow was initially replaced by Jake Browning, who struggled, throwing eight interceptions to just six touchdowns in his three starts. Following his struggles, the Bengals acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in a trade with the Browns, giving up a late-round pick swap. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin criticized the trade from the Browns perspective as he said “It doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area, but that’s just my personal feelings.”
While Flacco did provide an offensive boost to the team, they still went 1-5 in his six starts. This was primarily a result of Cincinnati’s poor defensive play. However, following the initial boost Flacco provided, the offense sputtered by scoring 20 points or fewer in their previous two games.
Now, Burrow’s return has been confirmed and they get their franchise quarterback to reignite the team. Before he was activated from Injured Reserve, Burrow posted an Instagram story with the caption “He’s back.”
Remaining Bengals Season
At 3-8 the Bengals playoff odds are practically non-existent. According to the New York Times NFL Playoff Simulator, Cincinnati has less than a 1% of making the postseason. However, the simulator is taking into account Cincinnati likely losing some of their remaining six games. In the unlikely case they were to win out, that percentage would climb to 76% of making the postseason.
First up is a Thanksgiving clash against the 6-5 Ravens. The Ravens have won five straight, and will now play the Bengals in two out of their next three games. For Cincinnati, each matchup is a must-win game the rest of the way.
Despite the significant boost Joe Burrow is likely to provide the Bengals, they must figure out a way to stop opposing offenses the next six weeks. They’re currently dead last in points per game allowed and yards per game allowed. They’ll also be without wide receiver Tee Higgins, as he’s out with a concussion.
Failure to win out would result in Cincinnati having its second consecutive losing season and their third consecutive season missing the playoffs.
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