Joe Burrow Reportedly ‘On Track’ for Mid-December Return for Bengals, Latest on Injury

Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow is “on track” to return from his turf toe injury in mid-December, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

Burrow has had “no setbacks” to this point, Rapoport added, and the Bengals star has told people close to him he “absolutely intends to be back.”

Burrow put together a healthy 2024 season, playing all 17 games and throwing for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions, though his strong play wasn’t enough to take the Bengals to the playoffs.

The quarterback was hoping to ride his momentum into the 2025 campaign, but injuries quickly derailed his season.

Burrow exited the Bengals’ Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars early and was later diagnosed with turf toe, which required surgery.

With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals have turned to backup quarterback Jake Browning and the newly-acquired Joe Flacco under center.

Browning, who has been with Cincinnati since 2021, has thrown for 757 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions this year. Flacco, who began the season with the Cleveland Browns before being traded to Cincinnati, threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns in his Bengals debut last week in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Bengals currently sit second in the AFC North with a 2-4 record and will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.