Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations hang by a thread as their franchise signal-caller continues working his way back from a significant injury. Joe Burrow has sat out nine weeks following turf toe surgery. With the Bengals’ postseason chances fading, will fantasy football managers see their quarterback return to action?
Joe Burrow Injury Update?
The injury occurred when Burrow took an awkward hit while trying to evade pressure during Cincinnati’s Week 2 win over Jacksonville. Doctors diagnosed a Grade 3 turf toe injury and projected a minimum three-month recovery timeline.
Dr. Norman Waldrop at Birmingham’s Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center performed the surgical procedure. The Grade 3 classification represents the most severe form of turf toe, indicating complete tears of all soft tissues in the big toe including ligaments and the joint capsule.​
Cincinnati opened Burrow’s 21-day practice window on November 10, allowing him to participate in on-field work without occupying a spot on the 53-man roster. This development signaled meaningful progress and suggested he was moving closer to a potential comeback. The organization faces a 21-day deadline to either activate him or place him on season-ending injured reserve.​
Burrow practiced in full last Wednesday and Thursday before getting downgraded to limited Friday. Head coach Zac Taylor declined to name a starting quarterback Friday, and Ian Rapoport confirmed Saturday that the Bengals would not activate Burrow for Week 12. Burrow sat out Sunday’s contest against the Patriots.​
On Monday, Taylor provided an encouraging update about Burrow’s availability for this week. “I anticipate him playing,” Taylor told reporters regarding Thursday night’s matchup against Baltimore. The coach didn’t make it official but made clear the expectation is that Burrow returns on Thanksgiving.​
The decision to potentially play Burrow appears curious given Cincinnati’s near-zero playoff probability. Sitting at 3-8 following another loss to Pittsburgh, the Bengals essentially need to win out to maintain any realistic postseason hopes. Their playoff chances sit at 1.1% according to PFSN’s playoff probability calculator.
Burrow has maintained his plan to return in Week 13, which many view as incredibly aggressive considering initial projections placed his earliest possible comeback in mid-December. The Thanksgiving Day showdown against Baltimore represents his target date, with Burrow previously calling it “very meaningful” when asked about returning for that prime-time divisional clash.​
Burrow clearly wants to play regardless of Cincinnati’s record. However, with the Bengals at 3-8 heading into Week 13, having Burrow risk his health seems questionable.​
Nevertheless, mathematical playoff elimination hasn’t occurred yet. All indications suggest Burrow intends to return. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen, but Taylor’s Monday comments certainly point in that direction.​
Burrow’s Fantasy Football Outlook
Fantasy managers should be cautious about getting overly excited despite this positive news. Even in the best-case scenario with a Week 13 comeback, the Bengals would be one loss away from mathematical playoff elimination. It’s very plausible that the moment they’re eliminated, Burrow shuts it down too.​
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During Burrow’s absence, the Bengals have utilized veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, whom they acquired in a trade from Cleveland. Flacco led the team to victory in Week 7 against divisional rival Pittsburgh but hasn’t won since.​
The overwhelming likelihood remains that fantasy managers won’t see meaningful production from Burrow the rest of the way. But if you’ve held onto him this long, you might as well start him in a potential shootout against the Ravens.
