The Cincinnati Bengals threw us all quite the curveball last week when they made a move with injured quarterback Joe Burrow.
That move was designating Burrow to return from injured reserve, which happened sooner than we expected.
Burrow, who is working his way back from a turf toe injury, wasn't slated to return until mid-December, so it was figured we had a few weeks more to go before he would have his practice window opened. That turned out to be wrong.
Burrow's recovery is clearly going better than expected and there is now hope he could return this month, but will that return be in Week 12?
Here's what we know.
Will Joe Burrow return in Week 12?
We do not have a concrete answer yet, but there is at least a chance Burrow plays in Week 12 until he's actually ruled out.
Burrow was able to log three limited sessions last week, and the expectation is he will be practicing again this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That at least cracks the door slightly ajar for him to play.
We would expect Burrow will have to log a full practice before he can be cleared. Cincinnati's first practice this week will be on Wednesday, so we will know more once the Bengals drop their first injury report.
However, Burrow has said himself that he hopes to be back by Thanksgiving, which would be Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Knowing that, it's far more likely he'll be back next week rather than this week, but never say never with Burrow, who has already beat expectations, and by a wide margin.
As for the 3-7 Bengals, their playoff hopes are on life support and one more loss could spell the unofficial end of their season.
Cincinnati is three games behind the Steelers for first place in the AFC North, and they trail the Ravens by two games for second place in the division. They also sit all the way back in the No. 12 spot in the AFC playoff picture.
According to the New York Times Playoff Simulator, the Bengals have a less than one-percent chance to make the postseason.
It's great that Burrow might be back soon, but he might not have much to come back to if the Bengals so much as lose one more game.
More NFL news
- Mike Tomlin gives reaction to Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey
- Raiders rumors give insight into dysfunction, futures of Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly
- Jerry Jones offers more details on Pickens, Lamb getting benched
- Commanders have already found Matt Gay replacement
- Seahawks hint at change with Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet usage