Joe

Flacco

Burrow will return to the 3-8 Bengals on Thursday night against the Ravens after missing two and a half months with a toe injury. “I’m not going to ever go to somebody and say, ‘yeah, I’m healthy, but I don’t think I should play.’ That doesn’t make a lot of sense to me,” Burrow said Tuesday. “I’m not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening. … Yeah, I’ve had injuries. It’s not a lot I can do about that. I worked really hard to have that not happen, but what I can do is when it does happen I can control how I’m attacking my rehab.” The Athletic’s Mike Silver said Burrow is “comfortable” with his injured toe and will manage the pain during games. The return of Burrow doesn’t change the prospects of Bengals pass catchers all that much in Week 13. Burrow should be considered a top-12 fantasy play against Baltimore.

Burrow practiced on Monday and is fully expected to start for the Bengals on Thursday night against the Ravens. He missed two and a half months with a toe injury he sustained in Week 2 against the Jaguars. Burrow’s return could give the Bengals an outside shot to sneak into the playoffs, though that would likely require a Thanksgiving night win over the heavily-favored Ravens. Burrow struggled before this toe injury. He ranked 29th out of 33 qualifying QBs in drop back success rate in the first couple weeks of the season. Ja’Marr Chase’s fantasy prospects don’t change all that much with Burrow back under center.

Burrow has all but announced on Instagram that he’ll be back, Zac Taylor couldn’t bring himself to say the words but we all know what is implied in “anticipating” a return. Burrow will almost certainly start against the Ravens and return to the QB1 line while Joe Flacco (shoulder/finger, limited) heads back to the bench on Thursday.

Things were always going to be tough for Flacco against this defense without Ja’Marr Chase (suspension), and that’s exactly how it played out. The 40-year-old quarterback was under pressure frequently and unable to find many receivers open downfield for much of the game. However, he did lead a fourth-quarter touchdown drive to get the Bengals to within three and had a chance to lead a game-winning drive, but came up just short deep in New England’s territory. Joe Burrow (toe) was close to returning this week, but on a short week it’s unknown if he’ll suit up on Thursday in Week 13. Flacco would be a low-end QB2 if he drew another start.

Burrow practiced all week and was even taking first-team reps by the end of the week. Still, the Bengals are making the call to hold him out for one more game with a short week coming up, leaving Joe Flacco to make another start against the Patriots in Week 12. Burrow, who will remain on injured reserve, appears to be on track to return from a toe injury that’s kept him out since Week 2 in Week 13 against the Ravens on Thanksgiving Day.

Flacco upgraded to full participation on Friday. Whether his services will be needed come Sunday is currently unknown. Joe Burrow (toe) is questionable to play after practicing fully all week and the Bengals now have until 4 PM EST on Saturday to decide whether to activate him from injured reserve. Flacco is a borderline QB1/2 if the team opts to give him another start.

Burrow participated in every practice this week and was taking first-team reps with the offense on Thursday. The Bengals’ QB1 was already expected to return in Week 13 against the Ravens on Thanksgiving Day, but a good few days of practice this week have him in the running to start against the Patriots. The decision to list him as questionable is a good sign entering the weekend, but the Bengals may opt to err on the side of caution for a few more days. For now, Burrow should be considered as truly questionable by fantasy managers, but the Bengals will have until 4 PM EST on Saturday to decide whether or not to activate him from injured reserve. Whether or not they do activate him should tell us all we need to know for his availability come Sunday.

Flacco took reps as the QB2 today, while Joe Burrow (toe) took snaps with the first-team offense. It sure looks an awful lot like Burrow will be the Week 12 starter, though the team could hold him out for one more week. If Flacco gets the start against the Patriots, he is a borderline QB1/2.

Last we heard, Burrow was hoping to return in time for the Bengals’ Week 13 game against the Ravens. He is not guaranteed to suit up this week despite his full Wednesday session, but Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was reportedly not “definitive” on whether QB Joe Flacco would start this week. Flacco sat out Wednesday’s practice, per usual, nursing the AC joint sprain in his right, throwing shoulder. If Burrow is available, add him.

Flacco did not throw during Wednesday’s practice but was technically listed as limited. He is expected to throw tomorrow and shouldn’t have any issues suiting up versus the Patriots on Sunday. He will remain a volume-based QB2, though his outlook will take a hit with Ja’Marr Chase suspended for one game.