Bengals' Joe Burrow injury return timeline remains crucial heading into Week 7

The Cincinnati Bengals have returned to the era of having a Joe at quarterback.

The problem right now is that it's 40-year old Joe Flacco instead of in-his-prime, face-of-the-franchise Joe Burrow.

Flacco will make his second start for the Bengals on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers to open Week 7.

Burrow remains out after toe surgery.

But if Cincinnati can turn things around, there's a chance Burrow can make it back on the field this season.

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Is Joe Burrow out for the season?

No, Joe Burrow has not been ruled out for the season.

His recovery from turf toe surgery was expected to take multiple months, but it didn't line up to eliminate him from playing eventually in 2025.

When is Joe Burrow coming back?

Burrow was expected to miss a minimum of three months with his injury, per multiple reports.

His surgery took place in mid-September, which lines up mid-December as the on-time return point.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor hasn't given any concrete updates since the surgery.

Cincinnati will need to stay in the playoff race to risk getting Burrow back on the field. Entering Week 7, the Bengals are just 2-4, not having won since Burrow was injured.

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