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He may have been a full participant in practice this week, but Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will be sidelined in Week 12.
Burrow would not be active for the Bengals’ game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, despite having a full practice this week.
Burrow is recovering from a toe injury suffered in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium, which required surgery. But there was hope that the franchise quarterback would be back this week after missing eight games.
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Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Burrow, that number now rises to nine. In turn, Joe Flacco, who Cincinnati traded for from the Cleveland Browns earlier this season, will start his sixth straight game with Burrow on the sideline.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Friday that he had to be careful around Burrow, even though he practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday. He was, however, listed as a limited participant on Friday, leading to some questions about his availability for Sunday.
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Burrow, who remains on the injured reserve list, was listed as “questionable” for the game against the Patriots.
The reason for the caution revolves around the fact that the Bengals will play two games in five days, while they have the Baltimore Ravens on the road on Thanksgiving night. Perhaps Burrow and the Bengals are targeting the holidays for his long-awaited return to the field.
The fact that Burrow has a chance to return is something fans didn’t think they’d see when he landed on injured reserve after needing surgery to repair his injury. Turf toe illnesses vary in severity, but surgery usually means a player could be out for the rest of the season.
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But Burrow has practiced very well since he was scouted this week, as the Bengals got him back with the starting offense. Since the Bengals have gone 1-7 since his absence, fans were certainly hoping he could play on Sunday.
In his two starts earlier this season, Burrow totaled 189 yards and two touchdowns. Jake Browning, his replacement in Week 2, finished the Jaguars off to start the season 0-2, but his subsequent struggles led to the trade for Flacco, which began since his arrival in Cincinnati.
The 40-year-old, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, had his worst start in a Bengals uniform last week – a 34-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco was 23 of 40 for 199 yards with no touchdowns and a pick six.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals plays against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on September 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Bengals’ losing streak isn’t entirely on offense, as Flacco has limited turnovers and found some chemistry with his receivers, particularly Ja’Marr Chase. Cincinnati’s defense ranks among the worst in the NFL in key stats, including yards allowed per game (418.2) and points allowed (33.4).
