Bengals HC Zac Taylor leaves the door open for Joe Burrow return in Week 12 against Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor hasn't confirmed quarterback Joe Burrow will return in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, but he also hasn't ruled out that possibility.

Burrow — who hasn't played since Week 2 because of turf toe in his left foot — was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. While that's a positive sign for the Bengals, Taylor told Thom Brennaman of WLW-AM in Cincinnati he wants to "take all the information in" before naming Burrow or veteran QB Joe Flacco as the starter for Sunday's home game. 

Zac Taylor expands on Joe Burrow's status

"Well, I'm not there yet," Taylor said when asked if Burrow will start Sunday. "We will use the time we have and come up with the best decision." 

Taylor clearly wants to ensure Burrow is 100 percent before starting him, but he also may be keeping his status vague to muddy New England's game plan. The Bengals (3-7) need every advantage they can get against the Patriots (9-2), who have won eight straight games. 

If Burrow plays on Sunday, it would then become a potential trap game for New England. He has gone 2-0 in two starts this season, throwing two touchdown passes. Last season, the 28-year-old had one of the more productive years of his six-year career. He led the league in passing yards (4,918) and passing TDs (43), winning Comeback Player of the Year for a second time.

However, the Patriots feature their own star quarterback in Drake Maye, who leads the NFL in passing yards (2,836) and ranks fourth in TD passes (20) after 11 weeks. Whether Burrow or Flacco starts, the second-year passer says he'll be ready to lead New England to another victory.   

"So wish the best of luck to him for his injury," Maye told the media on Wednesday. "But at the same time, we're competing. So, you want to win, and I don't think it matters who's on the other side, we're trying to win."

The Patriots may not care who starts for Cincinnati on Sunday, but fans certainly do. A matchup between an established star in Burrow and an up-and-comer in Maye would make it much more intriguing.