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

Will Bengals QB Joe Burrow return in Week 12 vs. Patriots?

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 19, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Will Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow make his long-awaited return sooner than expected?

On Nov. 10, the Bengals opened the 21-day practice window for Burrow, who hasn't played since Week 2 because of turf toe in his left foot. The QB, however, seems to be recovering faster than anticipated.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has reported Cincinnati listed Burrow as a full participant during Wednesday's practice. Backup QB Joe Flacco, meanwhile, was listed as limited due to a right shoulder injury. That may pave the way for the star QB's return in a Week 12 home game against the 9-2 New England Patriots.

What did Bengals HC Zac Taylor say about Joe Burrow?

Burrow's initial plan was to return against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. Taylor hinted that it may change.

And while Joe Burrow was listed as a full participant at today’s practice, Joe Flacco was listed as a limited participant due to a right shoulder injury. https://t.co/fYebTSLBTs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2025

"You can certainly get a lot of work in with Joe Burrow today, because Flacco's not practicing," the coach told the media before practice. "Because the plan has been to get [Burrow] to 11-on-11. So it works well, to where you're not trying to balance a guy who's gonna practice on a Wednesday. Joe Flacco hasn't done that ... So we'll get through today. Get Joe started 11-on-11, see how it goes."

Taylor added that Flacco will practice on Thursday, and the Bengals want to see how Burrow handles full team work before reinserting him into the lineup. Whenever the two-time Pro Bowler returns, it should reinvigorate the struggling Bengals.

Cincinnati (3-7) is third in the AFC North and has lost three straight games. Flacco's play has slumped during this stretch. The 40-year-old veteran has tossed seven touchdown passes and three interceptions but posted a below-average 49.1 QBR.

Before acquiring Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7, the Bengals started QB Jake Browning to replace Burrow. The former Washington star went 0-3 as a starter.

In two starts this season, Burrow has gone 2-0 but thrown just two TDs. He's coming off a career year in 2024, which downplays concerns about the slow start.

In 17 games last season, he led the league in TD passes (43) and passing yards (4,918) and finished third in QBR (72.1). For his efforts, the 28-year-old QB won Comeback Player of the Year for a second time.

Last season, the Bengals started 4-8 but won their last five games, narrowly missing the playoffs. If Burrow returns in Week 12, perhaps that will spur another late-season run for Cincinnati, which it needs to avoid missing the postseason for a third straight season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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