The Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) will visit the Denver Broncos (1-2) in Week 4. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding QB Joe Burrow.
Is Joe Burrow Playing in Week 4?
Burrow (toe) is on injured reserve and will not play in Monday’s game against the Broncos.
We’ll continue to monitor the Bengals’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Joe Burrow’s Fantasy Outlook
We spent all offseason wondering aloud if Joe Burrow was the top quarterback in the second tier or if his elite passing numbers were enough to put him in the class of the athletic marvels at the position.
They were fun conversations to have, but they don’t matter now. Burrow (turf toe) is going to be out until December at the very least, and that means he’s going to be cut loose in all leagues that don’t have enough IR room for him. And even then, we aren’t sure the Bengals will be in a position to compete when Burrow returns to the practice field.
I want to use this brutal injury as a launching point. Football is as physically taxing a team sport as there is. That’s obviously more true for some positions than others, but it’s a gladiator sport where everyone on the field isn’t far from a significant injury.
READ MORE: Bengals HC Zac Taylor Hints Joe Burrow Could Return During 2025 NFL Season
The four quarterbacks drafted ahead of Burrow this summer are much more athletic, and their ability to run often gets tied to an increase in injury risk. I understand the train of thought: they invite contact when they are on the move.
That’s accurate.
But what doesn’t get looked at enough is the other side of the coin: that quarterback is also capable of escaping trouble spots at a higher rate than average. No one is catching Jayden Daniels from behind, so while he is at risk of taking punishment, it’s usually coming head-on, and in those spots, he has the opportunity to make a business decision.
I’m not arguing that Burrow is more likely to get hurt than the Daniels’ of the world, though it is worth noting that he missed six games in 2020 and seven more in 2023. I’m arguing against the assumption that athletic quarterbacks are reckless investments.
Are they risky? Yes. Because they play football. Josh Allen’s propensity to take hits is worrisome to the eye, but he’s been huge and taking hits his entire life. There’s something to be said for knowing how to do it, and that’s a big reason why I’ll never shy away from that prototype.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Cheat Sheet.
Burrow’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 4
Burrow is projected to score 0.0 points in PPR formats.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 4 Weather Impact: Bengals at Broncos
The forecast for kickoff is 75 degrees Fahrenheit with 8 mph winds. These are ideal conditions for fantasy production.
