The Cincinnati Bengals continue to hang onto a spot in the AFC postseason conversation even after losing quarterback Joe Burrow to a turf toe injury sustained in Week 2.
While the franchise signal-caller still has some ground to cover before suiting up again, head coach Zac Taylor delivered a positive progress report.
Stepping into Burrow’s role has proven challenging for Taylor, who first turned to Jake Browning as the primary option before bringing in veteran Joe Flacco.
Flacco’s presence has injected new life into Cincinnati’s attack, with the unit eclipsing 30 points in each of the past two contests. That said, any legitimate push for contention this season will almost certainly hinge on Burrow making a comeback sometime later in the campaign.
During his midweek media availability, Taylor shared the latest on the recovery, noting that rehabilitation has unfolded exactly as anticipated, although no specific timeline exists for a return.
Early projections after the injury pointed toward a possible mid-December re-entry. Taylor’s remarks suggest the organization’s intention to activate Burrow at some point this year remains firmly in place.
In the end, whether Burrow steps back onto the field will probably come down to Cincinnati’s position in the AFC hierarchy once the two-time Pro Bowl selection is cleared to compete.
That reality places added importance on every upcoming matchup if the Bengals hope to keep playoff aspirations alive and create an opportunity for Burrow to contribute in the final stretch.
Currently holding a 3-5 record, Cincinnati aims to turn things around in Week 9 when it hosts the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The Bears enter the contest fresh off a Week 8 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.
