Zac Taylor's update on Joe Burrow's injury suggests a potential return for Week 12.

Mike Moraitis

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Joe Burrow injury update from Zac Taylor leaves door open for Week 12 return image

TL;DR

  • Joe Burrow activated from injured reserve, targeting Thanksgiving game vs. Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Burrow participated in a full practice, his first since being designated to return from IR.
  • Coach Zac Taylor is uncertain about Burrow's availability for Week 12, not ruling out an earlier return.
  • Bengals have a low playoff probability, needing to win out with Burrow's potential return.

The Cincinnati Bengals are nearing the return of star quarterback Joe Burrow, who was activated from injured reserve last week.

Burrow indicated he's aiming for The Thanksgiving Day matchup versus the Kansas City Chiefs to return, though an earlier comeback remains possible.

Burrow turned in a full practice on Wednesday, which was his first since being designated to return from IR.

On Thursday morning, when questioned about Burrow's availability for Week 12, head coach Zac Taylor did not rule out the possibility of the Bengals' starting quarterback returning this week.

Taylor told Thom Bennaman of 700 WLW that "we don't know yet" if Burrow is going to play.

"I'm not there yet. One day at practice isn't going to lead to that decision yet," Taylor said, per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.

That is obviously not a yes, but it's not a no, either.

Should Burrow manage to return this week or even next, he'd be significantly ahead of the original mid-December timeline projected when he sustained the injury.

When Burrow returns, he'll face a significant challenge to get the Bengals into the postseason. Cincinnati is currently 3-7 heading into Week 12, and the New York Times indicates the team has under a one percent probability of reaching the playoffs.

This suggests the Bengals will very likely need to win out to secure a playoff spot. Burrow's return provides them with the opportunity to achieve this.

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