CINCINNATI, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball prior to an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
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It’s been a while since Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has played in a game, but that could change this Sunday with Burrow being a full participant in practice this week. The Bengals play against the 9-2 New England Patriots on Sunday.
Joe Burrow’s Injury Status Ahead Of Bengals Vs. Patriots
Burrow hasn’t played since Week 2, when he suffered a turf toe injury, and the Bengals desperately need Burrow back. Cincinnati is 2-0 with him as the starter and 1-7 without him.
While Burrow is officially listed as questionable on the Bengals injury report, he’s trending in the right direction and performing at a high level in practice according to Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
“Joe’s been looking outstanding, man,” Higgins said on Thursday. “He’s slinging it deep, short routes. Everything’s been pretty good.”
Higgins believes that Burrow is at 100% but wants Burrow to come back at his own pace.
“He needs to take as much time as he needs, but I mean, he looks good,” Higgins said. “If he’s ready, then I’m ready.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor says the team isn’t ready to decide if Burrow is playing on Sunday. Taylor noted that the Bengals playing on Sunday and then again on Thursday at the Baltimore Ravens, is a factor. Two games in five days is rough on the bodies of healthy players, let alone a franchise quarterback coming back from injury.
“I think Joe has done everything he can to put himself in a position to get back,” Taylor said. “We are just going to keep taking our time on this one. No decision has been made. I feel comfortable waiting as long as we can to make this decision.”
Although the 3-7 Bengals have just a 1% chance of making the playoffs, per NFL Next Gen Stats, Taylor doesn’t see that factoring into the decision to start Burrow or sit him.
“I think it’s important. Winning is important,” Taylor said. “Obviously, he is who he is, and he gives us an outstanding chance to win games. And I think for his own he wants to play football. That’s he’s a football player. That’s what he wants to be also.”
While Taylor’s optimistic that his toe injury won’t be reaggravated once Burrow returns to the field, he’s still being cautious with his confidence about it.
“He’s done everything he can. He looks great. You expect it to respond great when he’s out there and gets tackled, but you don’t know,” Taylor said.
Will Burrow Be Activated Vs. Patriots?
The Bengals will have to activate Burrow by 4 p.m. ET Saturday if he’s to have a chance to play against the Patriots. However, Taylor said there’s a chance Burrow could be activated and still not play.
“Everything is on the table,” Taylor said.
Burrow, 28, had a stellar 2024 campaign, throwing for 43 touchdowns and 4,918 yards, but all the progress made then has been offset by an injury setback this season. Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and even if the Bengals postseason chances are slim to none, his return to action will be a positive development for the league.