When Is Joe Burrow Coming Back? Latest Injury Update and Fantasy Outlook on Bengals QB

After leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns last season, Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals failed to reach the playoffs. For a second straight season, the Bengals finished with a 9-8 record, as they placed third in the NFC North and just outside of the playoffs.

Looking to break that streak and return to the playoff for the first time since the 2022 season, Burrow had a setback with another injury in his career that has caused him to miss some time.

Let’s take a look at Burrow’s injury and his current status:

Joe Burrow Injury Update

In the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Burrow was hurt after being sacked. Burrow was helped to the locker room after he struggled to pull weight on his leg.

Burrow was later ruled out with a turf toe injury and then was placed on injured reserve.

#NFL Injury Updates#Bengals Joe Burrow – Turf toe. Most handled w/o surgery. Avg = 4 wks. Surgery = season-ending, but only happens in ~15%. Very likely out Wk 3 + prob Wk 4#Raiders Brock Bowers – Reports suggest likely playing. Data favors dip in target volume

1/7 pic.twitter.com/zzeH5my5HF

— Deepak Chona, MD. SMA (@SportMDAnalysis) September 15, 2025

When Will Joe Burrow Return?

On Tuesday, Joe Burrow was listed as a full participant in practice for the first time since enduring his turf toe injury in Week 2. He was a full participant for a second day in a row as he was a full go in the team’s Thursday practice.

The Bengals are preparing to start Burrow this Sunday against the New England Patriots. He’s been taking first team reps in practice and the belief is that he could make his return this weekend.

For a second straight day today, Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been taking snaps with Cincinnati’s starting offense, preparing him for the possibility that he could play Sunday vs. New England. pic.twitter.com/bJxpxvAq3C

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2025

If Burrow doesn’t end up playing this weekend then a return next weekend against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night would be a likely return.

Joe Burrow Fantasy Outlook

Joe Burrow is one the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy and also one of the most productive fantasy quarterbacks. It helps when you have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins catching his passes.

If you’re a fantasy owner and you have Burrow, it would make sense to start him if you kept him. In the three full seasons (out of five) that he’s played in, Burrow has thrown for over 4,400 yards and 34 touchdowns in each season. He would be QB1 on most fantasy football teams.

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