Bengals' Zac Taylor gives huge Joe Burrow update for Patriots game

Eyebrows were raised on Thursday when Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor suggested that star quarterback Joe Burrow could return to the lineup when the 3-7 Bengals host the red-hot New England Patriots (9-2) this coming Sunday. 

While speaking with reporters on Friday, Taylor revealed that Burrow will be listed as questionable heading into the weekend. 

How long will Bengals wait to make Joe Burrow decision for Patriots game?

"I think Joe has done everything he can to put himself in a position to get back," Taylor said about his first-choice starter, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We are just going to keep taking our time on this one. No decision has been made. He was limited today in practice. I feel comfortable waiting as long as we can to make this decision." 

As Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper noted, the Bengals will have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate Burrow from the injured reserve list. If they don't do so, veteran Joe Flacco would be on track to start for Cincinnati against New England. 

This past Wednesday, Burrow was listed as a full practice participant for the first time since he had surgery to repair the toe injury he suffered in Week 2 of the season. The Bengals acquired Flacco via a trade with the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7, and he has gone 1-4 as Cincinnati's temporary starter. 

Bengals have a busy week ahead of them

As of Friday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Bengals just a 2.8% chance to make the playoffs. At that same time, ESPN BET had Cincinnati as a 6.5-point home underdog against New England. 

Following this weekend, the Bengals will play at the Baltimore Ravens (5-5) on Thanksgiving night (Nov. 27). 

"Everything is moving in a great position," Taylor added about Burrow's status. "Now we just have to make a decision. You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday, you got to factor in all that stuff. He has tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go, and we’ll try to make a decision later."

"Later" may not come until Saturday afternoon.