Tag: Burrow

Bengals QB Joe Burrow to play in season finale vs. Browns

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow is in the game plan for the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

The Bengals are not planning to rest or preserve Burrow, the oft-injured starting quarterback who played in his seventh game of the season in Week 17 and improved to 5-2 as a starter in 2025.

One of those five wins for Burrow this season was a 17-16 victory at Cleveland. Burrow was sacked three times and had 113 passing yards with one touchdown.

Since returning from a toe injury that knocked Burrow out of the game Week 2 and required surgery, his production has been on the upswing.

Burrow was 24 of 31 for 305 passing yards with two touchdowns in a 37-14 win over the Cardinals in Week 17, following up his four-TD day at Miami on Dec. 21.

“He’s got a ton of confidence, he’s playing with great rhythm, extending plays, hitting big plays down the field,” Taylor said. “He did a great job with the protection checks (Sunday), because that can be really difficult and stressful against these guys. They do a good job of attacking your protections, so Joe was on it. Again, just playing like I know Joe to play, and it’s fun to watch.”

Taylor said Monday the Bengals need “all hands on deck” to compete with Browns star Myles Garrett. The defensive end has 22 sacks, on the doorstep of the single-season record of 22.5 held by Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt and former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

Garrett sacked Burrow twice in the first meeting this season.

“He’s the best defensive player on Planet Earth,” Taylor said. “You can’t put it into words. It’s all hands on deck. He’s an absolute nightmare.”

–Field Level Media

Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson labeled doubtful for Week 14

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is not ready to return from a hip injury and is primarily scheduled to continue “rehab stuff” this week, coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

Taylor said he would consider Hendrickson doubtful to be ready for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

“We’ll just keep taking it week to week,” Taylor said Monday.

The Bengals (4-8) are still alive in the playoff picture behind the Baltimore Ravens (6-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) in the AFC North. Joe Burrow returned from a turf toe injury Thursday to guide Cincinnati to a 32-14 win over the Ravens that ended a four-game losing streak for the Bengals.

Hendrickson did not play in a game in November. He was sidelined Oct. 26 against the Jets but was not placed on injured reserve. The Bengals reportedly rebuffed trade offers for the pass rusher in October.

Taylor indicated there is also no change in the status of wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion), who missed the Thanksgiving night win at Baltimore.

Hendrickson, who turns 31 this week, has 4.0 sacks this season but none since he recorded a pair against Jared Goff and the Lions on Oct. 5.

He spent the offseason in a standoff with the Bengals over the lack of a contract extension. Hendrickson officially requested a trade. But the Bengals eventually coaxed Hendrickson out of a holdout posture with a $14 million raise for 2025 that pushed his salary to $30 million.

Hendrickson entered 2025 with an NFL-best 35 total sacks the previous two seasons.

–Field Level Media

Joe Burrow makes successful return as Bengals end Ravens’ win streak

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow passed for 261 yards and two touchdowns in his first appearance since Week 2 and the Cincinnati Bengals forced five turnovers while stunning the host Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on Thursday night.

Burrow missed nine games with a turf toe injury that required surgery but was in top form in the AFC North battle. He completed 24 of 46 passes as the Bengals (4-8) snapped a four-game losing streak and won for just the second time in 10 games.

Cincinnati’s Tanner Hudson and Andrei Iosivas caught touchdown passes while Ja’Marr Chase had seven receptions for 110 yards. Evan McPherson kicked a career-high six field goals, Cedric Johnson recovered two fumbles and Demetrius Knight Jr. made a key fourth-quarter interception.

Lamar Jackson completed 17 of 32 passes for 246 yards and one interception while losing two fumbles for the Ravens (6-6), who had a five-game winning streak halted. Baltimore’s Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell each rushed for a score.

Cincinnati led by five at halftime before Hudson made a stellar 14-yard scoring catch as the Bengals took a 19-7 advantage with 7:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Baltimore responded with an 18-yard scoring run by Mitchell to get back within five with 3:59 left in the third.

Cincinnati answered with Burrow’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Iosivas to make it 26-14 with 15 seconds left in the period.

Baltimore committed its fourth turnover on its next drive. Jackson’s pass was deflected by Myles Murphy, and Knight picked it off at the Cincinnati 8-yard line and returned it 39 yards.

McPherson added a 52-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 15-point lead with 9:25 to play.

Cincinnati forced turnover No. 5 when Jalen Davis knocked the ball loose from Zay Flowers and DJ Turner II recovered with 4:12 to play. That set up McPherson’s 41-yarder with 1:06 left.

McPherson kicked a 31-yard field goal in the opening quarter and added boots of 42, 24 and 33 in the second as the Bengals led 12-7 at halftime. Cincinnati recovered three Baltimore lost fumbles in the half.

Henry scored on a 28-yard run in the first quarter for the Ravens. The scamper allowed him to pass legendary Jim Brown (12,312) for 12th place on the all-time career rushing list. Henry rushed for 60 yards overall and has 12,354 career yards.

Baltimore led 7-6 when Jackson teamed up with Isaiah Likely on a 43-yard pass play. However, Jordan Battle knocked the ball out of Likely’s hands at the 1, and the ball went out of the end zone for a Cincinnati touchback with 8:22 left in the half.

–Field Level Media

Bengals ‘anticipate’ Joe Burrow being ready for Ravens on Thanksgiving night

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow racked up 820 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two losses to the Ravens last season, but the Bengals are planning to give him another shot at their AFC North rival on Thanksgiving night.

Burrow is set to play for the first time since Week 2 and has cleared medical hurdles to take the field in primetime Thursday barring setbacks this week.

“Anticipate him playing. He looks like he’s in good shape to be ready to go,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

The Bengals went 1-8 without Burrow, who had surgery to repair a turf toe injury in September.

Cincinnati already ruled out defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) for this week’s game. Higgins also missed Cincinnati’s game in Baltimore last season when Ja’Marr Chase picked up the slack with 11 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Chase is set to return this week after he was suspended for Sunday’s game at New England due to spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

There was speculation whether the Bengals would put Burrow in harm’s way with the postseason a distant reach from where Cincinnati aligns in the standings at 3-8. But they are only three wins behind the Ravens and Steelers — both 6-5 — and Cincinnati is 2-1 in division games. The Bengals split with the Steelers, play the Ravens twice in a span of 18 days and end the regular season with home games against the Cardinals (3-8) and Browns (3-8).

When the Bengals were fading from playoff contention at this time last season — with a 4-7 record entering Week 13 — Burrow said the Bengals were about to run the table. Cincinnati beat the Denver Broncos on Dec. 28, 30-24, to stay alive in the AFC wild-card race with an 8-8 record. A win in the Week 18 finale over the Steelers (19-17) left the Bengals one win shy of the final spot in the AFC playoffs.

But Taylor hasn’t lost that energy one year later.

“You’ve got one of the greatest players in the world coming back,” Taylor said.

Baltimore swept last year’s season series with 41-38 and 35-34 victories. The Ravens own a four-game winning streak over Cincinnati and haven’t lost to the Bengals at home since 2021.

–Field Level Media

Bengals QB Joe Burrow questionable to play Sunday vs. New England

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might be ready to play Sunday in a surprise early return two months after surgery for a turf toe injury.

Burrow was able to participate in practice Friday for the third consecutive day while avoiding setbacks reintroducing his recovered foot to increased intensity on the field. He was limited Friday after being a “full participant” on Wednesday and Thursday.

“He’s done everything he can to put himself (in position) and be ready to go,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Now I have to make a decision on what we do.”

Taylor remained guarded 48 hours before the Bengals (3-7) kick off their Week 12 home game against the Patriots (9-2). He could stick with veteran Joe Flacco, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury, with Cincinnati playing on the road at division rival Baltimore in the NFL’s primetime game on Thanksgiving.

Burrow played the first two games of the regular season, landed on injured reserve on Sept. 16 and underwent surgery Sept. 19.

“Everything is moving in a great position,” Taylor said. “Now we just have to make a decision. You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday, you got to factor in all that stuff. He has tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go, and we’ll try to make a decision later.”

The Bengals started his 21-day window for practice availability on Nov. 10, but he would need to be added to the active roster by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to be eligible for Sunday’s game versus New England.

“Joe’s been looking good,” Higgins said of Burrow. “He looked good last week when he was practicing. You know, I’m happy for him.”

–Field Level Media

Zac Taylor still contemplating Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s status

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One day after Joe Burrow practiced without restrictions for the first time in three months, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor might be expecting the quarterback to show up in his office to declare himself fit for the start on Sunday.

“Oh yeah. And that’s my job, to balance all the information and protect the player. And make the best decision possible,” Taylor told 700 WLW on Thursday. “I wish I had that decision today. I’m going to take in all the information I can and make the best decision for Joe and our team and go from there. “

Burrow had surgery for a turf toe injury and is pining to return to duty Sunday against the New England Patriots (9-2). Cincinnati started 2-0, winning in a comeback over the Jaguars in Week 2, which Burrow exited in favor of Jake Browning. The Bengals then acquired Joe Flacco and sent Browning to the bench, but have only one win since placing Burrow on IR.

If Burrow plays this week, he would be about a month ahead of schedule.

A history of injuries and the Bengals’ 3-7 record are factors the team might weigh before putting Burrow in harm’s way this week. His initial timeline was projected to be three months after the Sept. 19 surgery in Birmingham, Ala. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Nov. 10.

Flacco said Burrow was impressive in his Wednesday work.

“Joe looked good. It’s cool to see him out there,” Flacco said. “And, obviously, when you’re both now taking reps some conversations happen. Like, ‘How do you see this vs. that?’ Joe looked good.”

Asked if there was even a chance Burrow plays this week, Taylor didn’t bite.

“I’m not there yet,” Taylor said. “One day at practice isn’t going to make that decision yet. We’ll use the time we have at our disposal and come up with the best decision we can.”

Flacco was limited in practice on Wednesday, prescribed rest for his right shoulder injury.

Taylor said one of the hurdles remaining for Burrow was gauging the physical response to his first 11-on-11 practice since September.

–Field Level Media

Bengals QB Joe Burrow full participant in practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow was a full participant in practice on Wednesday for the first time since Week 2, heightening interest around the Cincinnati Bengals bringing their franchise quarterback into the conversation as a candidate to start.

Head coach Zac Taylor said the team will “keep working through it” when asked if current starter Joe Flacco would definitely start this week.

“Joe Burrow hasn’t practiced in 11-on-11,” Taylor said before Burrow practiced Wednesday. “You can certainly get a lot of work in with Joe today. It works well where you’re not trying to balance a guy who isn’t going to practice on a Wednesday. Joe Flacco hasn’t done that.

“We’ll get through today and start to get Joe (Burrow) out there in 11-on-11 and see how it goes. He’ll do it today.”

Burrow had the Bengals off to a 2-0 start when he was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 16 and underwent surgery to repair a Grade 3 turf toe injury.

Without Burrow, Cincinnati is 1-7 behind quarterbacks Jake Browning and Flacco, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 7 for a draft pick swap.

Flacco did not practice on Wednesday, following the pattern established when he joined the team and to continue treatment of a shoulder injury.

Last week, the Bengals opened a 21-day period to permit Burrow to practice with the team without counting against the 53-man active roster. He can be activated at any point during the 21 days.

The Bengals play the New England Patriots on Sunday and at Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will serve a one-game suspension this week for spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey last Sunday in host Pittsburgh’s victory.

The toe injury has been another disappointing setback for Burrow, 28, already a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year following a season-ending knee injury in 2020 and a season-ending wrist injury in 2023.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and currently the league’s all-time leader in completion percentage at 68.5%.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime in 2021. He'll be on crutches Sunday when the Bengals go to Minnesota.

Bengals optimistic QB Joe Burrow will return this season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Until Joe Burrow completes surgery for a turf toe injury on his left foot, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor intends to hold the door wide open for the quarterback to return.

Reports placed a three-month timeline on Burrow’s return from the Sept. 14 injury. Until surgery is performed, the Bengals only know Burrow will not play the next four games as required by NFL rules for players assigned to injured reserve.

“At least the next four weeks,” Taylor said of Burrow’s known absence. “That’s the best I can give you.”

Taylor said the Bengals “don’t have it yet” when asked if Burrow’s surgery has been scheduled.

Cincinnati (2-0) resumes its schedule without the franchise quarterback at Minnesota (1-1) on Sunday with Jake Browning running the offense. He threw three interceptions but delivered a game-winning drive to defeat the Jaguars, 31-27.

Burrow was officially placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, when Browning shifted into game-plan install mode.

“The physical toll is obviously a lot different. I’ll still voice my opinion (on the game plan) as the 2, but ultimately and rightfully so it’s going to be what Joe wants,” Browning said of what changed this week. “We’ve got a lot of guys who’ve been in this system for a long time. I feel fortunate to be taking over an offense with a lot of weapons.”

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) take a brief break in the final minutes of game time against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2025. The Bengals move to 2-0 after beating the Jaguars 27-31.

Bengals trumpet belief in Jake Browning, add two QBs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati is set to add two quarterbacks to the practice squad as the Bengals move ahead with Jake Browning at the controls in place of Joe Burrow.

Burrow, injured in Sunday’s win over the Jaguars, will undergo surgery on a Grade 3 turf toe injury with an expected recovery time that stretches into mid-December.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor professed “full confidence” in Browning as the QB1 with Cincinnati expected to elevate Brett Rypien to the 53-man roster from the practice squad to be the backup at Minnesota this week.

“It’s a rollercoaster,” Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said. “Every game is going to be a rollercoaster. Every week from here on out, we’ve got to focus and execute. That’s the only thing. Our quarterback got (knocked) down, we’ve got to go ‘Next man up,’ and it’s on from there.”

Browning, 29, has played in 13 career games with 14 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, including three picks in Sunday’s 31-27 win against Jacksonville.

“If you’re wearing a Bengals uniform on Sunday, I’m going to give you a chance and go down swinging,” Browning said of his demeanor.

The Bengals reportedly signed former Penn State and Packers quarterback Sean Clifford and former Dolphins, Jets and Bills quarterback Mike White to their practice squad on Tuesday.

White played in one game for the Bills in 2024 but his most memorable moment in the NFL was against the Bengals in 2021. Making his first NFL start, White threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 34-31 win over the Bengals on Halloween. He also caught a two-point conversion from Jamison Crowder with 3:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Clifford, who grew up in Cincinnati, was a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2023 and was the primary backup to Jordan Love as a rookie. Clifford was the No. 3 QB in Green Bay in 2024 and lost that job to Clayton Tune, also a fifth-rounder in 2023, during training camp and was released last month.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9), left, talks with head coach Zac Taylor, right, during training camp practice. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

Bengals QB Joe Burrow to play ‘several series’ vs. Eagles

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Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and select starters will see action in Cincinnati’s preseason opener against the host Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, coach Zac Taylor told reporters Tuesday.

“Several series is what we’ll give those starters,” Taylor said.

Burrow, 28, has thrown a total of eight passes in preseason games the past four years. The two-time Pro Bowl selection completed 5 of 7 passes in the 2024 preseason, his first action in an exhibition game since 2021 when he threw an incompletion in his only attempt.

Taylor also noted that his starters will see their most preseason playing time in their Aug. 18 date with the host Washington Commanders.

Per Taylor, tight end Mike Gesicki, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, defensive tackle BJ Hill and defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt and Daxton Hill will sit out Thursday’s game versus the Eagles.

Cincinnati’s starters are not expected to play in the preseason finale against the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 23.

Giving Burrow more preseason snaps may reflect the Bengals’ desire to avoid another slow start to the regular season. Cincinnati has started 0-2 in each of the past three campaigns, including 0-3 in 2024.

–Field Level Media