When is Joe Burrow coming back? Latest injury update, return timeline for Bengals QB

The Cincinnati Bengals' hopes of making the playoffs were dealt a brutal blow earlier this season when quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a toe injury.

The injury occurred in Week 2 and was later diagnosed as a Grade 3 turf toe injury that needed surgery and was expected to sideline him for at least three months, although there were no doubt fears the injury would end his season.

The Bengals have been trying to keep it together long enough for Burrow to get back and have a chance to lead Cincinnati to the postseason, but things haven't gone well, as the Bengals are 1-6 since Burrow's injury and sport a 3-6 mark overall.

As it turns out, the Bengals might not have to hold it together for much longer, as Burrow could make it back earlier then expected.

When is Joe Burrow coming back?

The Bengals shocked everyone when they designated Burrow to return from injured reserve on Nov. 10, which opens his 21-day practice window.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer revealed that Burrow told him he's aiming for a return at or around Thanksgiving.

"Last week Joe Burrow told me he’s returning wayyyy sooner than was expected and gave me the timeline of 'Thanksgiving-ish,'" Glazer said. "Now will start practicing on a limited basis. Absolutely unreal attack of rehab and response. At first medical people didn’t believe he’d be back before playoffs."

If Burrow returns on Thanksgiving, that would put him back on the field in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, that "ish" part opens the door for a return sooner or later than that, so don't rule out Burrow for Week 12 or 14.

Of course, one has to wonder if the Bengals would even bring him back if the team loses more games, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Burrow plans to return to the field no matter what happens.

"Based on the way Burrow has explained it to those who know him well, his plan is to return to the field regardless of the team's record, which is 3-6 entering Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers," Rapoport reported.

So, it looks like we'll see Burrow on the field again, regardless of how things go over these next few weeks.

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