The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten some great news on quarterback Joe Burrow.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Burrow, who has been on the shelf since Week 2 with a turf toe injury, will be designated to return from injured reserve on Monday and will also return to practice on a limited basis.
"Bengals QB Joe Burrow will return to practice today in a limited capacity," Schefter wrote.
"Joe Burrow has been on the Reserve/Injured list since Sept. 16 with a toe injury. Today starts a 21-day period during which he may begin limited practice with the team without counting against the 53-player active roster. He is eligible to be activated to the roster during the 21-day period," Schefter added.
This is stunning, to say the least, as the initial expectation was that Burrow wouldn't make it back until mid-December, at the earliest. This now opens the door for him to be back by the end of this month.
However, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones rightly cautions that just because he has been designated to return doesn't mean Burrow will play at the end of his 21-day window.
"This does not mean Burrow will return by a certain date. If need be, the Bengals will activate him to the roster but have him inactive on game day until and if he's ready. But a positive sign today for Cincy," Jones said.
So, in short, the Bengals have to activate Burrow to the 53-man roster before the 21-day window closes or else he'll have to miss the rest of the season.
But, the Bengals could activate him and just leave him inactive on gamedays until Burrow is ready to go, so there is no guarantee he will make it back on the field earlier than the mid-December timeline that was initially given.
The Bengals are currently sitting with a 3-6 record and their playoff hopes are on life support. It goes without saying that Cincinnati needs Burrow back yesterday, and rest assured Burrow is trying to get back as soon as possible.
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