Joe Burrow injury update: Bengals QB to remain on IR, Joe Flacco to start vs. Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow won’t come off IR just yet, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Joe Flacco will start against the New England Patriots Sunday while Burrow continues to nurse his Grade 3 turf toe injury.

Burrow has been sidelined since exiting with the injury of turf toe in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bengals have lost seven of eight since then, now sitting at 3-7 overall.

While he was thought to be lost for the season, though, he returned to practice at the start of last week and has been trending toward a potential return this season that could’ve come as soon as Sunday. But now, that’ll have to wait.

Previous reporting suggested that the divisional matchup next week on Thanksgiving against the Baltimore Ravens was a target date for Burrow. That could still be a reality, especially if Cincinnati knocks off New England on Sunday to keep their slim playoff chances alive.

The Bengals are three games back for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC, but the AFC North might not be too far fetched. They are three games behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, but have to play the Baltimore Ravens twice and the Cleveland Browns one more time this season.

Even without Burrow, the Bengals already split with the division leading Steelers are currently 2-1 in the division. So, it’s a possibility, especially if they can keep pace with overall wins, starting this week.

However, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out, the offense isn’t exactly the problem. Flacco or Burrow, it hasn’t mattered when it comes to the defense.

“I wonder if, with Burrow’s return, whether it’s this week or next week, and it’s starting to look like this week is in play, would elevate the 32nd-ranked defense? Whether the return of Burrow would provide some sort of spark to make the defense the 28th-rated unit, as opposed to 32nd? But the offense is going to be great,” Schefter said. “And, again, his return would impact the Bengals trying to stay alive.

“It would impact the Patriots on Sunday, who are trying to stave off the Buffalo Bills. It could potentially impact the Buffalo Bills, should he play in two weeks, as they try to catch the Patriots in the AFC East. So, there are a couple of ramifications to Burrow potentially being back on Sunday.”