Bengals may get early Christmas present with Burrow news

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bengals may get early Christmas present with Joe Burrow injury news

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 3:14 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals have lost two straight and are failing to hold things together defensively (32nd, 426.6 yards). The Bengals (3-6) have a two percent chance to make the playoffs as they come out of their bye week and prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) in Week 11.

Despite being three games under .500 and having low odds to get into the postseason, the Bengals' slim hopes got a boost after news that franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was returning to practice. Burrow had his 21-day window for return opened on Monday after being on injured reserve since Sept. 16 with a toe injury.

With the opening of his window, Burrow is eligible to practice with the Bengals and not count toward the 53-man active roster. Burrow is eligible to be elevated to the active roster any time during the 21-day window. If that doesn't happen, he will be placed on season-ending injury reserve.

Burrow played in two games before his injury, throwing for 189 yards (21-36) with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while having three yards rushing on two carries.

Joe Burrow has been on the Reserve/Injured list since Sept. 16 with a toe injury. Today starts a 21-day period during which he may begin limited practice with the team without counting against the 53-player active roster. He is eligible to be activated to the roster during the… https://t.co/3FAuEZ2GbL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025

The Bengals need to win despite their schedule

The Bengals have the 22nd-best offense (308.2 yards) and have scored the 14th most points per game (24.0) in Burrow's absence. They have also gotten exceptional backup quarterback play from 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who, in four games with the Bengals, has thrown for 1,254 yards with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Bengals won't have an easy road getting back to .500 over the next three weeks as they play the Steelers, the New England Patriots (8-2) and the Baltimore Ravens (4-5). But if they can find a way to stay in the mix, maybe Burrow can return in time to save the season.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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