Is Joe Burrow playing this week? Latest news, updates on Bengals QB’s status for Thanksgiving game vs. Ravens
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t yet eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 13, but they need a ton of help to even start thinking about postseason aspirations.
Starting quarterback Joe Burrow has been sidelined since Week 2, and the Bengals have only won two games since he suffered the injury, including the Week 2 comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Burrow has missed eight games due to a Grade 3 turf toe injury that required surgery. The quarterback finally returned to practice in Week 12 but wasn’t activated ahead of the loss to the New England Patriots. Cincinnati is now gearing up to face the Baltimore Ravens in a big AFC North divisional game, the third matchup of a loaded Thanksgiving slate.
Here is the latest on whether Burrow is playing in Week 13 against the Ravens.
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Joe Burrow was a full practice participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday in Week 12, but then he was downgraded to limited on Friday. He needed to be activated on Saturday from injured reserve to be eligible to play. Even with the positive progression in his return to practice, Burrow wasn’t activated and missed another game. It felt like he was close to playing, which is why many expect that he will play on Thursday against the Ravens, though he still needs to be activated from IR.
Joe Burrow was sacked during the Bengals’ Week 2 game against the Jaguars. After the play, the quarterback stayed down and pointed to his ankle/foot. He was removed from the game and eventually diagnosed with turf toe. It was deemed a Grade 3 injury, and it required him to have surgery, which he had in September.
Burrow was added to IR, meaning that he had to miss at least four games, and he has now missed eight.
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Joe Burrow’s backup started out as Jake Browning. He led a comeback win over the Jaguars in Week 2, but then lost three straight games. This caused Cincinnati to make a deal with the Cleveland Browns to acquire veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. He lost his debut with the team against the Green Bay Packers, but beat the Pittsburgh Steelers the next week in Week 7. Flacco and the Bengals have lost three straight games with Burrow’s return on the horizon.
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If Burrow is fully healthy, he will be the unquestioned starter for the team. Flacco has played well enough, but it hasn’t always translated to wins. The Bengals lost to the Chicago Bears 47-42 in Week 9, but the veteran quarterback threw for 470 yards in the loss.
Browning figures to be the odd man out when Burrow returns. He will likely be relegated to the practice squad when the starter is activated.
