Ben BabyNov 20, 2025, 05:30 PM ETCloseBen Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).Follow on X
Herbstreit to McAfee: If Joe Burrow is healthy, he is going to play (1:10)Kirk Herbstreit joins Pat McAfee and weighs in on the mindset of a player such as Joe Burrow when it comes to returning from injury. (1:10)
The Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback took 100% of the team’s reps on Thursday, according to the team’s injury report. During the portion of practice open to the media, he took snaps with starting center Ted Karras as all the quarterbacks and centers worked on the ball exchange. Burrow was the first quarterback to throw during position drills, even with Joe Flacco practicing after taking Wednesday off because of a shoulder injury.
Nobody has yet to declare whether or not Burrow, who is still on injured reserve, will return to the active roster and start this Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
But wide receiver Tee Higgins shared a glance that Burrow gave him, a side-eyed stare with a slight smirk.
The veteran wide receiver added that Burrow has looked as good as he did at the start of the season.
“Joe’s been looking outstanding, man,” Higgins said. “He’s slinging it deep, short routes. Everything’s been pretty good.”
Burrow has not played since suffering a turf toe injury in his left foot on Week 2. Initially, he had eyed a Thanksgiving return for his first game back since successful surgery.
On Wednesday, Burrow was a full participant at practice for the first time since the team opened his 21-day window to return on Nov. 10. Flacco, who was acquired via trade, has taken the last three Wednesday off while he nurses a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder.
Thursday, the team’s most extensive practice of each game week, has typically been the day where Flacco has his largest practice workload. But Burrow received the more favorable quarterback treatment ahead of a lighter practice scheduled for Friday. The two-time Pro Bowler will not be made available to speak to the media this week.
Earlier in the day, Bengals coach Zac Taylor did an interview with WLW-AM and cracked the door open for a potential return this week.
“I’m not there yet,” Taylor said. “One day at practice isn’t going to lead to that decision yet. We’ll use the time we have at our disposal and come with the best decision we can.”
Taylor will speak to reporters Friday afternoon following the last practice of the week. The Bengals (3-7) are looking to avoid their fourth straight loss and halt the eight-game losing streak to New England (9-2) they carry into Sunday’s game.
“He needs to take as much time as he needs, but I mean, he looks good,” Higgins said. ” If he’s ready, then I’m ready. Take as much time as you need to get back to 100%, which I think he is [at] now.”
Herbstreit to McAfee: If Joe Burrow is healthy, he is going to play (1:10)Kirk Herbstreit joins Pat McAfee and weighs in on the mindset of a player such as Joe Burrow when it comes to returning from injury. (1:10)
Kirk Herbstreit joins Pat McAfee and weighs in on the mindset of a player such as Joe Burrow when it comes to returning from injury. (1:10)
CloseBen Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).Follow on X
CINCINNATI — For the second straight day, Joe Burrow had a full practice.
“I don’t know if that was a good or bad, but I assumed good,” Higgins said.
But this week’s events indicate Burrow could be back even sooner.
After the last two days, it appears Burrow is at that mark.