The Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes are dwindling and fast.
They're 3-6, and two games back from the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North, with a surging Baltimore Ravens squad one game ahead of them.
Joe Flacco has kept the offense afloat since arriving in a trade from the Cleveland Browns, despite the continued defensive struggles. But could the return of another Joe reinvigorate Cincinnati and spark a postseason run?
Joe Burrow to make his return to Bengals practice
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been cleared to return to practice in a limited capacity.
"A little under two months after toe surgery, Burrow has his practice window opened, and he’ll be limited. Still on Injured Reserve, he has 21 days to be activated. A December return is real," wrote Rapoport in a post on X.
The return of Burrow could be a shot in the arm for a Cincinnati team looking for a spark.
Since the arrival of Flacco, the Bengals are 1-3, and are giving up an average of 36 points per game defensively.
The former No. 1 overall pick won't help Cincinnati on defense, but it could provide some hope for a locker room that likely desperately needs it.
It remains to be seen just how quickly Burrow will be able to recover from his Grade 3 turf toe injury, but he's obviously fighting as hard as he can to get back on the field for a late postseason push.
More Bengals news:
- Zac Taylor provides injury update on Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco
- NFL insider reveals potential return date for Bengals' Joe Burrow
- Bengals' Trey Hendrickson's game status revealed ahead of Steelers matchup
- Bengals franchise legend urges team to make decision on Trey Hendrickson
- Zac Taylor reveals who will call plays for Bengals offense going forward