Joe Burrow Reportedly Pushed To Return Against Patriots
The New England Patriots aren’t facing Joe Burrow, who didn’t return in time for Sunday’s contest.
Burrow practiced this week, but the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t activate him before their Week 12 game at Paycor Stadium. The star quarterback hasn’t played since injuring his toe in Week 2.
That reportedly wasn’t Burrow’s call. NFL insider Jay Glazer said on “Fox NFL Sunday” that Burrow “pushed to play” against the Patriots.
The Bengals opted to “err on the side of caution” since they play the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday. Burrow is aiming to return against the AFC North rival on Thanksgiving.
New England avoided Burrow, who led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns last season. He settled for 164 yards in a 16-10 upset loss during Jerod Mayo’s coaching debut to commence the 2024 season.
The Patriots are instead facing Joe Flacco, whom the Bengals acquired from the Cleveland Browns after losing three straight games started by Jake Browning. The 40-year-old has tallied 1,453 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in five games with his new team.
Cincinnati has still lost three straight games after allowing 120 combined points, so it made little sense for the 3-7 Bengals to rush back Burrow. On the other hand, they may need to defeat the Patriots to keep any slim playoff hopes alive.
The Patriots could thus affect whether the Bengals activate Burrow in Week 13.