The Cincinnati Bengals are slated to play the third Thanksgiving Day game of NFL 2025 as they face off against the Baltimore Ravens in Maryland. The 8:20 ET kickoff holds extreme significance for the visiting side as quarterback Joe Burrow is set to take the field on Thursday night.
However, Joe Burrow’s return to action comes with significant modifications. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Burrow will take the field against the Baltimore Ravens wearing a carbon fiber plate inserted into his cleat, a protective measure for his injured toe.
“Bengals QB Joe Burrow is back tonight, likely wearing a carbon fiber turf toe plate with his toe secure in his cleat. He beats the 3-month recovery timeline”, Rapoport reported.
From @NFLGameDay Morning: #Bengals QB Joe Burrow is back tonight, likely wearing a carbon fiber turf toe plate with his toe secure in his cleat. He beats the 3-month recovery timeline. pic.twitter.com/1NlTrfFGGz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2025
The carbon fiber cleats are a result of Burrow’s toe injury that sidelined him in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. When the injury first occurred on September 14, he was slated to be off-field for three months, which would have kept the quarterback out until at least mid-December.
Before being sidelined with the injury, Burrow appeared in 2 games for the Cincinnati Bengals this season, completing 21 of 36 passes with a 58.3% completion rate. He also compiled 189 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a 91.1 passer rating.
Ravens Enter Thanksgiving Matchup 32-27 Record Over Bengals
The Thursday night game will mark the first Thanksgiving matchup between the sides since 2013.
The Ravens enter this encounter with an overall record of 6-5 so far this season while sitting atop the AFC North standings. They also have a better head-to-head record against the Bengals, with a record of 32-27, while winning four out of their last five encounters against them.
“It’s not just that Lamar has owned the Bengals 10-1 against them, 6-1 against Burrow. But Burrow is not great coming off rest or the offseason.”@Chris_Broussard thinks defense will be the difference-maker in Bengals-Ravens: pic.twitter.com/hwgs9DBWE9
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) November 26, 2025
The timing of Burrow’s return might perhaps be a little too late for the Bengals, considering they are virtually out of playoff contention. With a dismal 3-8 record so far, the Bengals are third in the AFC North.
Burrow’s injury saw the Cincinnati-based franchise trade in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns earlier this season.
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