In a significant development for their faltering season, the Cincinnati Bengals have welcomed star quarterback Joe Burrow back to practice. This marks a crucial step in his recovery from a serious toe injury that has sidelined him since September.
Road to Recovery After Surgery
Joe Burrow has not played since suffering a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2 of the current NFL season. The quarterback subsequently underwent surgery, which he acknowledged on social media with the poignant message: 'This game will break your heart. See you soon.'
His return to the field today is a limited one, but it officially opens his 21-day practice window. This means the Bengals have three weeks to activate him from the Injured Reserve list, putting him on track for a potential return to game action in mid-December.
Bengals' Struggle Without Their Star
The team's fortunes have dramatically declined since Burrow's injury. The Bengals were 2-0 when he was sidelined. His absence was immediately felt in Week 3, when the team suffered its worst loss in franchise history, a 48-10 blowout against the Minnesota Vikings with backup Jake Browning at quarterback.
Further losses to the Broncos and Lions followed, prompting the team to trade for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. After Browning was benched, the 40-year-old Flacco secured a win against the Steelers. However, back-to-back losses against the Jets and Bears have left the Bengals with a disappointing 3-6 record for the season. Analysts note that while Flacco has impressed, the team's defense has been a letdown in recent weeks.
A History of Adversity
This is not the first time Burrow has faced a major setback. His rookie season in 2020 was cut short after he tore his ACL, PCL, MCL, and meniscus. Furthermore, he missed the final seven games of the 2023 season due to a wrist injury. The hope now is that Flacco can steady the ship and keep the Bengals' playoff hopes alive until their franchise quarterback makes his much-needed return next month.
