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Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Joe Burrow On Pace To Return In 2025

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Justin Rimpi | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 9:13 PM ET

Just when you thought the Cincinnati Bengals’ season couldn’t get any more dramatic, a glimmer of hope appeared on the sidelines. No, it wasn’t a celebrity sighting or a new halftime show. It was Joe Burrow, in the flesh, looking like a million bucks—well, a million bucks in a walking boot. For the first time since his toe decided to impersonate a pretzel in Week 2, QB1 was back in the building, and suddenly, the air in Paycor Stadium felt a little different.

Let’s be real, the last month has been tough. Watching the Bengals without Burrow is like watching a blockbuster movie with the main star edited out. Sure, the plot is there, but the magic is missing. The team has been trying to stay afloat with Joe Flacco as he tries to steer this ship through the choppy waters of the AFC North. But seeing Burrow on the field, even just standing there, sparked something. It was a reminder of what this team is fighting for.

What’s the Real Deal With Burrow’s Toe?

Joe Burrow (turf toe) is on track to return by mid-December, per @RapSheet.

Burrow "absolutely intends to be back." pic.twitter.com/2eH2tRCArs

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 16, 2025

The official diagnosis was a Grade 3 turf toe injury, which sounds less like a football injury and more like something you’d get from a rogue lawnmower. It happened back in Week 2 against the Jaguars, and just like that, the franchise player was on the shelf. He had surgery in late September, and the clock started ticking.

According to the NFL’s top news-breaker, Ian Rapoport, things are looking good. “He is on track, doing well, has had no setbacks,” Rapoport said, adding that the target return is mid-December. The best part? Burrow “absolutely intends to be back.”

Can the Bengals Survive Until December?

Here’s the million-dollar question. Burrow’s triumphant return only matters if there’s a season left to salvage. The Bengals‘ record isn’t exactly pretty, and every game feels like a must-win. His surprise appearance at the Steelers game felt strategic, almost like a general visiting the front lines to boost morale.

The team needs to stack up some wins to stay in the playoff conversation. If they can keep their heads above water until mid-December, getting a healthy and motivated Burrow back would be the ultimate Christmas gift for Cincinnati. Imagine the scene: a playoff push fueled by the return of their leader. It is the kind of script Hollywood writers dream of.

For now, it’s up to Flacco and the rest of the squad to keep that dream alive. But for one night, seeing Burrow back on the sideline was enough to make Bengals fans believe again. The king isn’t abdicating his throne just yet.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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