Just when Bengals fans were about to throw in the towel on this roller-coaster season, a glimmer of hope appeared on the practice field. That’s right, Joe Burrow, the man, the myth, the legend, is back in a limited capacity after a nasty turf toe injury sent him to the sidelines way back in Week 2.
The Bengals officially cracked open his 21-day practice window, which basically means the countdown clock to his return has started. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A 3-6 record isn’t exactly screaming “Super Bowl contenders,” and the last thing anyone wants is for “Joe Cool” to rush back and re-injure that precious toe.
Still, the rumor mill is churning, and the big question on everyone’s mind is: when will Burrow be back under center?
Schefter’s Take: Thanksgiving Or Buffalo?
Leave it to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the master of NFL scoops, to stir the pot. On his podcast, Schefter laid out two potential comeback scenarios. He mentioned that Burrow himself might be eyeing that Thanksgiving night showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. A prime-time game against a divisional rival? Talk about a dramatic entrance. It feels like something straight out of a Hollywood script.
However, Schefter, being the realist he is, pumped the brakes a bit. He thinks a more “realistic target” is the following week’s game in Buffalo. “I think the game at Buffalo is the game we should circle for a potential Joe Burrow return,” he said. It makes sense. It gives Burrow an extra week to get his sea legs back and reduces the risk of coming back too soon.
Schefter added a crucial “if” – this all depends on whether the Bengals can somehow stay in the division hunt. If they manage to snag a win or two before then, bringing Burrow back to make a late-season push becomes a whole lot more appealing.
The State Of the Bengals Without Burrow
Let’s be honest, it’s been a rough ride. Since Burrow’s injury, the Bengals have managed just one victory. They even brought in veteran QB Joe Flacco to steady the ship, but the team is 1-3 since his arrival. It’s not all on Flacco, though. The defense has been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine, giving up a whopping 144 points in those four games.
The upcoming schedule is a gauntlet: on the road against the Steelers, a home game against the Patriots, and then the two big ones Schefter mentioned against the Ravens and Bills. Every single one of those teams is in the playoff mix.
Ultimately, the decision rests on how Burrow’s toe feels and where the team stands. If they’re mathematically out of it, don’t be surprised if they wrap him in bubble wrap until next season. But if there’s even a sliver of a chance, seeing #9 back on the field could be the spark this team desperately needs.
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