Bengals QB Joe Burrow returns to practice, won't play this week

The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday opened the practice window for quarterback Joe Burrow, but he's not a candidate to play this week.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor clarified the expectations around Burrow's return to the team. Burrow has not played since Week 2 because of a toe injury that required surgery.

"I think he's ready for this point in the recovery," Taylor said.

Taylor said Burrow will primarly throw to wide receivers without defenders this week and isn't participating in 11-on-11 work in practices.

The Bengals moved Burrow to injured reserve on Sept. 16. Burrow sustained a Grade 3 turf toe injury during a 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars that gave the Bengals a 2-0 record to start the season. He had surgery in September, with the team saying he would return at some point this season.

Since Burrow has been out, Cincinnati has gone 1-6 behind quarterbacks Jake Browning and Joe Flacco, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7 for a draft pick swap.

The move to get Burrow back on the field opens a 21-day period where he can practice with the team without counting against the 53-man active roster. He can be activated at any point during the 21 days.

"He's one of the best players in the world," Taylor said. "Excited to get him back out there."

Cincinnati, which is coming off its bye week, has upcoming games at Pittsburgh on Sunday, home against the New England Patriots on Nov. 23 and at Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day.

The toe injury has been another disappointing setback for Burrow, 28, already a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year following a season-ending knee injury in 2020 and a season-ending wrist injury in 2023.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and currently the league's all-time leader in completion percentage at 68.5 percent.

--Field Level Media