Back in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cincinnati Bengals saw superstar quarterback Joe Burrow go down with a toe injury, which would require surgery, and the veteran gunslinger would miss a considerable amount of time.
As a result of Burrow’s absence, the Bengals have won only three games this season, as they have simply been unable to figure out how to get it going without their face of the franchise under center. Jake Browning and Joe Flacco have tried to shoulder the load, but have only won one game during their time at the quarterback position for Cincinnati.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow Blasts Critics About Desire to Play
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
After losing eight games, Burrow is preparing to get back on the field for the Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Even though some criticized the team and the superstar quarterback for his desire to play, the two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year is determined to get back on the gridiron this season and doesn’t care what the critics have to say, via Ben Baby of ESPN.
“I’m not ever going to go to somebody and say, ‘Yeah, I’m healthy, but I don’t think I should go out there and play,’” Burrow said Tuesday, ahead of his anticipated return against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I’m not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening.”
Many believe it would be wise for Burrow to shut it down for the season, considering the team’s long odds to make the NFL playoffs. However, he doesn’t see the logic in not playing when healthy.
“Yeah, I’ve had injuries,” Burrow said. “There’s not a lot I can do about that. I worked really hard to have that not happen.
“But what I can do is when it does happen, I can control how I’m attacking my rehab and attacking practice and doing everything in my power to get back as quickly as possible. And that’s what I did.”
Only six games remain in the 2025 NFL regular season for the Bengals, with the team’s best-case scenario being a 9-8 record, achieved by winning six straight games to finish the campaign.
Burrow Officially Cleared to Play Thanksgiving Day vs. Ravens
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
As expected, Burrow has been cleared to play in Thursday’s game against the Ravens on Thanksgiving and is expected to start, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Even though the 2025 NFL campaign is more or less over for the Bengals as they’ll need somewhat of a miracle to make the playoffs, the team seemed hyped to get their superstar quarterback back on the field, especially against a division rival who is one of the hottest teams in the league right now.
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of impact Burrow will have on the Bengals on Thursday and whether he can spark an inspired run in the final six games of the regular season.
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