New Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, improving quickly in recovery from surgery. He went down with turf toe on September 14, in a match-up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had surgery in late August, missed the last seven games, but is back on the practice field now. Burrow was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, an important step as he continues through the rehabilitation process.
The Bengals have provided Burrow a 21-day window to return. This still means he can shadow and practice, but it doesn’t require them to add him to the active roster. That progress was evident when he participated in 11-on-11 drills the entire practice this week for the first time since his injury. His involvement is an encouraging sign that he may be close to returning to the field. He’s got his eyes on Thanksgiving or so as a target return date.
Burrow’s return is as welcomed as it gets with the Bengals preparing to open things up against the New England Patriots. This type of matchup may be Burrow’s most important. It could also be Joe Flacco’s last planned start in Cincinnati. Burrow’s eagerness to get back onto the gridiron speaks to his passion for the game and dedication to his team.
Zac Taylor, the Bengals head coach, matched that enthusiasm — if not that level of optimism — when addressing Burrow’s desire to play. He mentioned Burrow’s mindset regarding his return: “Until we get through some practices, there’s no reason for me to even speculate on that.” This comment highlights the conservative nature the organization is taking as they continue to test Burrow’s preparedness.
Despite all of Burrow’s optimism on wanting to return, he didn’t offer any real details on his recovery timeline following practice. His attention is still at the level of being prepared and staying mentally up-beat. He’s fully aware of the mental part that comes with returning from injury, but he’s dead set on continuing to let it fuel him.
Pro Football Focus recently highlighted how Burrow has changed the game. He has a robust academic pedigree, graduating from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Ben Baby is the Bengals’ daily beat writer for ESPN.com. Since July 2019, he has been with ESPN.
As Burrow embarks on his path to recovery, fans and teammates are rooting for his speedy return. His presence could significantly impact the Bengals’ performance as they navigate the remainder of their schedule.
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