NFL insider reveals potential return date for Bengals' Joe Burrow

After snapping their four-game losing streak, the Cincinnati Bengals seem to have stabilized themselves thanks to Joe Flacco.

At 3-4, the Bengals are just one game back from the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, and with a matchup against the winless New York Jets on deck, Cincinnati has a shot to get back to.500.

The Bengals need to continue winning and stay in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt to hold out hope that their franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, will make his eventual in-season return in time for a playoff push.

Ian Rapoport reveals potential Joe Burrow return date

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport revealed to ESPN's Kevin Clark that with the Bengals trending up, Burrow could be back under center by late December.

"He really might, and I don't know that it's going to be December 10th. My guess is the last two or three games of the season, he has a chance," Rapoport said.

"But if they're alive, then I think we really may see Burrow, which is suddenly pretty realistic, and that would be the most dramatic of all things, and that will be very fun."

If Cincinnati can stay afloat under Flacco, it could set up a special run for the Bengals in December and beyond.

Rapoport pointed out to Clark that it's a lot more likely than Aaron Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury two years ago, and with the way the Bengals' schedule is set up, it would give Burrow a chance to reacclimate himself before a possible playoff run.

Cincinnati finishes the season against the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, two teams with a combined record of 4-10.

If the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft can get his foot healthy, the Bengals may just have an outside shot at the Super Bowl.