Joe Burrow Is Back, but Should the Bengals Actually Let Him Play?

By: Sreeja Nallamala

Joe Burrow featured next to a screenshot of his Instagram story announcing his return. TMZ

The Bengals got the update everyone has been waiting months for. Joe Burrow is finally close to returning after a turf toe injury that needed surgery back in Week 2. He practiced fully last week, the videos looked good, and head coach Zac Taylor said he expects Burrow to play on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens.

Here is the real question: Just because Burrow wants to play and looks ready to go, should Cincinnati actually put him back on the field?

The Bengals are 3-8 and sitting near the bottom of the AFC. Their playoff odds are barely above zero, and that is according to the optimistic projections. At this point, it feels like the team has more to lose than gain by letting Burrow push himself while he is still not at full strength. The franchise quarterback is the one guy you protect at all costs, especially when your entire future depends on him.

From Burrow’s perspective, this all makes sense. He has always been wired to compete. He helped LSU win a national championship, led the Bengals to a Super Bowl in his second year, and has never been shy about believing in himself or his team. He is the type of player who will try to play through pain because he wants to give his team every possible chance. That confidence is part of what makes him great.

Joe Burrow during Week 2 injury. Spectrum News 1

However, this season has reached the point where logic needs to win over pride. Burrow is not the only star dealing with injuries in Cincinnati. Trey Hendrickson is hurt. Tee Higgins is out with a concussion. Ja’Marr Chase just served a suspension. The roster that was supposed to support Burrow is falling apart around him. Even if he plays, he will be doing it without the full offense that usually makes the Bengals dangerous.

And even if Burrow “looks” healthy in practice clips, turf toe surgery is not something players bounce back from instantly. Medical timelines put full recovery anywhere from six to twelve weeks, depending on severity, and players often deal with lingering stiffness or limited push-off strength for months. For quarterbacks, that matters even more because it affects how they plant their feet, drive throws, and escape pressure.

The defense has also been a problem all year. Even when Burrow was healthy enough to start the season, the Bengals struggled to keep up with opponents. Now they are dead last in several defensive categories, which means Burrow would likely have to put up huge numbers just to keep games competitive. That is asking a lot from someone coming off toe surgery who will need perfect protection from an offensive line that rarely gives him that luxury.

The Bengals coaching staff sees the spark that Burrow brings. It is easy to get caught up in the idea that he could return and somehow make a miracle postseason run. But the math makes it almost impossible. Cincinnati would need to win out and hope several teams collapse. It is the type of scenario that looks fun on paper but is not realistic when you consider the state of the roster.

Joe Burrow. SI

This is why shutting Burrow down for the season makes the most sense. His long-term health should be the priority, especially since he has already missed 23 regular-season games in his six-year career. Protecting him now means giving him the best chance to come back completely healthy next year, when the Bengals will have a real opportunity to rebuild and make another run at the postseason.

Burrow will always believe the team can fight to the end. That is what makes him special. But sometimes quarterbacks need to be protected from themselves, especially when their competitive nature could lead them right back into another injury.

Cincinnati has to think bigger than Thanksgiving night in Baltimore. They need to think about the next ten years. And for once, maybe that means telling Joe Burrow no.

Edited by: Megan Livengood