Joe Burrow is coming back to the Cincinnati Bengals practice field — at least in a limited way.
On Monday, the Bengals officially cleared their star quarterback to return to practice while remaining on injured reserve. For the first time since Sept. 14, the two-time Pro Bowler can touch the football in team drills, initiating a 21-day window where Cincinnati can evaluate his progress before activating him to the 53-man roster.
The timing is perfect. The Bengals are coming off a bye and staring down a pivotal Week 11 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joe Flacco has carried the team in his place, but having Burrow back in the fold could offer some much-needed reassurance.
Flacco’s Bridge Performance for Bengals
Flacco has done everything the Bengals could ask. He’s resurrected the offense. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown have all thrived under his steady hand. Flacco’s command of Zac Taylor’s system has kept Cincinnati competitive in every game since acquiring him.
Yet the limitations are obvious. While he’s served as the perfect bridge to Burrow, he’s never been deemed the long-term solution. And as the Bengals look to climb back into playoff contention, the organization knows exactly what’s coming.
Burrow’s Return Timeline
With the IR window now open, Burrow can begin participating in controlled team activities without counting against the active roster. From here, the clock is ticking: the Bengals have 21 days to fully activate him. Mid-December remains the projected timeline, aligning him for the season’s final three games — a stretch that could determine playoff seeding or postseason survival.
“He really might,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, revisiting his Week 7 prediction. “My guess is the last two or three games of the season, he has a chance. But if they’re alive, then we may see Burrow.”
Even with Flacco performing admirably, the Bengals sit at 3-6. The playoff path requires consistent scoring and, more importantly, a defense capable of limiting explosive plays — something the team has struggled with all season.
Cincinnati’s schedule down the stretch is manageable, on paper. The Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns await in Weeks 16-18. If Flacco continues to execute and the defense stabilizes, the Bengals could enter that final Burrow stretch at or just above .500. Suddenly, a mid-December return isn’t just optimistic — it’s plausible.
Even in limited practice, Burrow’s presence matters. His teammates know the difference between a team with their franchise quarterback and one relying on a veteran fill-in. Flacco provides stability, but Burrow provides the ceiling and where the Bengals have been trying to go. That ceiling keeps everyone accountable, from receivers running crisp routes to the offensive line protecting the pocket.
The Bengals’ offense is humming under Flacco, but the league knows Burrow is the ultimate variable. When he steps back onto the field, every defensive scheme in the NFL will pivot around him. The next few weeks of practice might be a countdown to a potential playoff push.
Cincinnati’s postseason hopes aren’t dead. They are 3-6 today (third place in AFC North), but by the end of December, QB1 Burrow might just have the final word.
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