Joe Burrow Set to Return on Thanksgiving Day

The Cincinnati Bengals have had a tough season so far, entering Thanksgiving week with a 3–8 record. But they are finally getting the news they have been waiting for: star quarterback Joe Burrow is returning. After missing more than two months with a serious turf toe injury, Burrow is set to play on Thanksgiving Day against the Baltimore Ravens.

It won’t be an easy matchup. The Ravens are 6–5 and riding a five-game winning streak, playing their best football of the year. Still, Burrow’s return gives the Bengals hope that they can finish the season strong.

Burrow’s Long Road Back

Back in Week 2, Burrow tore a ligament in his left big toe after getting sacked. The injury, known as turf toe, made it painful for him to push off his foot, something quarterbacks need for almost everything they do. He needed surgery, followed by months of rehab just to get normal strength back.

Doctors originally expected Burrow to return in mid-December, so coming back on Thanksgiving is a big accomplishment. Teammates say he has looked sharper each week in practice and is moving with more confidence on his repaired toe.

What the Bengals Need From Him

Before he got hurt, Burrow led the entire NFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 2024. Without him, the Bengals have struggled to score and have lost close games, including last week’s 26–20 loss to the Patriots.

Veterans like Tee Higgins and young players like rookie Mitchell Tinsley stepped up at times, but the offense hasn’t been the same. Cincinnati hopes Burrow’s return will bring back their deep-passing attack and help the offense find rhythm again.

The timing couldn’t be better. Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase is finishing his one-game suspension and will be back as well. Running back Chase Brown is coming off one of the strongest performances of his young career. For the first time in months, the Bengals offense is starting to look whole again.

A Thanksgiving Test

The Ravens are not an easy team to return against. Their defense has been fast, physical, and tough during their winning streak. If the Bengals want to pull off the upset, they’ll need Burrow to protect the ball, their receivers to get open quickly, and their defense to slow down Baltimore’s explosive offense.

Still, Cincinnati believes they have a chance. A win on Thanksgiving wouldn’t save their season, but it could spark a late-season run and give fans hope for the future. And with Joe Burrow finally back under center, anything feels possible again in Cincinnati.