In a major boost for the Cincinnati Bengals and their fans, star quarterback Joe Burrow is officially set to return to the field. After a long and frustrating absence, Burrow will lead the team against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 27.
The Long-Awaited Comeback
The news of Burrow's return was confirmed after he was officially activated from the injured reserve on Wednesday. He has been practicing fully for over a week, signalling his readiness. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor stated he expected his franchise quarterback to play on Thanksgiving. Burrow himself added to the excitement with a social media tease, posting a photo on Instagram with the simple, powerful caption: "He's back."
This comeback comes after Burrow missed the previous nine games for the Bengals. His last appearance was on September 14. While he was unable to play in last week's loss to the New England Patriots, his consistent full practices throughout the past week have ensured he is game-ready to face a tough Ravens defense.
Recapping the Injury Setback
The ordeal for Joe Burrow began back in Week 2 during a hard-fought 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The pivotal moment came when he was sacked by defensive tackle Arik Armstead. As he twisted to the ground, Burrow jammed his left foot into the turf, causing a severe injury to his toe.
The immediate aftermath was concerning. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his foot, and needed assistance from trainers to leave the field, unable to put his full weight on it. Subsequent medical scans delivered the bad news: a Grade 3 turf toe sprain, which involves a ligament tear in the big toe joint. For a quarterback, this type of injury is particularly debilitating as it directly affects the fundamental mechanics of planting and throwing the ball. Burrow underwent surgery in September, beginning a projected three-month recovery journey.
The Bengals' Struggle Without Their Leader
Burrow's absence laid bare how crucial he is to the Bengals' success. The team's record without him was a dismal 1-8, a stark contrast to their aspirations at the start of the season. This difficult stretch effectively ended their postseason hopes, dropping them to the bottom of the AFC North standings.
The lone victory during this period was a thrilling 33-31 upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers, where backup quarterback Joe Flacco delivered an impressive performance with 342 passing yards and three touchdowns. However, defensive issues and inconsistent play proved too much to overcome without their offensive leader.
With Burrow's return, the 3-8 Bengals finally get their franchise player back under center. The team cleared a roster spot by cutting practice squad QB Sean Clifford, demonstrating their full commitment to having Burrow lead the offence once again, even as they look ahead to the future.
