Joe Burrow’s Potential Return Date Revealed
The Cincinnati Bengals have been without superstar quarterback Joe Burrow since September 14th, 2025. Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that day against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This led to Burrow being moved to the injured reserve list.
On Monday, November 10th, the signal caller returned to practice in a limited capacity. This started the 21-day window for the Bengals to decide if he can return to action this season whatsoever.
Potential Return Date For Joe Burrow Has Been Revealed
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts with Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech chimed in on the matter of the timing of Burrow’s potential return to the football field. He mentions the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day matchup in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens:
“This is the game you should circle on your calendar, because this is the game Burrow appears to be targeting for a possible return. This AFC North showdown is being played on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and based on what Burrow had to say on Monday, he would really like to be on the field. The Bengals QB gave a one-word answer when asked how meaningful it would be for him to return against the Ravens in this prime time game.
‘Very,’ Burrow said.”
NFL on CBS Sports’ John Breech on Joe Burrow potentially returning on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens
Joe Burrow returning against the Baltimore Ravens would obviously be a huge deal. It’s hard to disagree with Breech’s sentiment about it being “must-see TV” if this is the case. A Thanksgiving Day AFC North showdown between Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow has all the ingredients to be absolutely electric.
Another Potential Return Date
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja’Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 against the New York Giants.
Breech brings up another possible return date if Burrow’s toe isn’t ready for a Thanksgiving meal with their heated-rival Baltimore Ravens:
“If Burrow isn’t feeling comfortable enough to return in Week 13 against the Ravens, he could hold off one week and return against the Bills on Dec. 7. In this instance, the Bengals could use their full 21-day practice window and then activate Burrow on Dec. 1, which would be the week of this game.”
This would also make sense. If the toe isn’t ready to go, a mini-bye week to get to Week 14 could very much be utilized for Burrow’s recovery. He will be returning in a major spot either way. A return against Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen during the playoff push is quite the time to make a return.
The Bengals have to stay afloat regardless if they want it to matter if Burrow returns. Burrow himself commented on this:
“Our division is wide open. Pittsburgh is 5-4 and we play them this week. Everything is still there in front of us. It’s very rare that our division looks like this, but it does this year. And so I think we’ll be at least in it until the end.”
Joe Burrow on the Bengals staying alive in the playoff race until his return
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Called NFL’s ‘Most Overrated QB’
The last decade has been an incredible run for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott … in the regular season and in his checking account.
That’s not going to create many legacies.
Until Prescott can find some modicum of playoff success, he’s going to continue winding up at the top of lists like the one Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay just put out ranking the NFL’s Most Overrated Quarterbacks.
In a sad, small victory, at least Prescott didn’t take the No. 1 spot. That belonged to Baltimore Ravens quarterback and 2-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, who Prescott finished as runner-up to in the 2023 NFL MVP vote. Prescott was in the No. 4 spot.
“The Dallas Cowboys have been riding with Dak Prescott as their starting quarterback for a decade now,” Kay wrote. “While he’s helped the team emerge as a playoff contender for much of that run, his stunning lack of success in the postseason has also held this proud franchise back from reaching its potential.”
The Cowboys are 3-5-1 and still firmly in the NFC Wild Card hunt headed into a Week 11 road game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football — with Prescott playing some of the best football of his career this season.
Prescott Guiding One of NFL’s Best Offenses
While the Cowboys have been atrocious on defense this season — 31st out of 32 teams in overall defense — the offense has been one of the NFL’s crown jewels.
Prescott is sixth in the NFL in passing through 9 games with 2,319 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, with all of the Top 3 passers yet to have their bye week — the Cowboys are coming off their bye in Week 10.
The storyline of Prescott’s career has been defined by his regular season success as much as his postseason failures — he’s 2-5 in the playoffs — but more than that it’s been defined by his incredible timing when it comes to new contracts.
Twice in his career, Prescott has become the NFL’s highest paid player of all time. In 2020, he became the NFL’s first $40 million per yer player when he signed a 4-year, $160 million contract. In 2024, he became the NFL’s first $60 million per year player when he signed a 4-year, $240 million contract.
When Prescott’s current deal runs out following the 2028 season, he’ll have approximately $436.3 million in career earnings.
Prescott Called ‘Not Most Respected’ in Locker Room
Prescott got some relief from the criticism lobbed his way almost continually throughout each offseason of his career as former Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and owner Jerry Jones drew almost all of that fire with their ongoing, messy contract dispute.
That’s not to say some people still weren’t going out of their way to take digs at Prescott, including the No. 1 Cowboys hater in the world — ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith — when Smith questioned the level of respect Prescott garners in his own locker room.
“Do people respect the man who they know isn’t going to show up in January?” Smith asked on ESPN’s First Take on May 15. ” … I think he’s a fabulous regular season quarterback who does an outstanding job of making sure he gets paid.”
The Cowboys haven’t advanced to the NFC Championship Game since following the 1995 season — also the same year they last won the Super Bowl. It’s the longest NFC Championship Game drought out of the 16 NFC teams.
