Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might be ready to play Sunday in a surprise early return two months after surgery for a turf toe injury.
Burrow was able to participate in practice Friday for the third consecutive day while avoiding setbacks reintroducing his recovered foot to increased intensity on the field. He was limited Friday after being a “full participant” on Wednesday and Thursday.
“He’s done everything he can to put himself (in position) and be ready to go,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Now I have to make a decision on what we do.”
Taylor remained guarded 48 hours before the Bengals (3-7) kick off their Week 12 home game against the Patriots (9-2). He could stick with veteran Joe Flacco, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury, with Cincinnati playing on the road at division rival Baltimore in the NFL’s primetime game on Thanksgiving.
Burrow played the first two games of the regular season, landed on injured reserve on Sept. 16 and underwent surgery Sept. 19.
“Everything is moving in a great position,” Taylor said. “Now we just have to make a decision. You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday, you got to factor in all that stuff. He has tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go, and we’ll try to make a decision later.”
The Bengals started his 21-day window for practice availability on Nov. 10, but he would need to be added to the active roster by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to be eligible for Sunday’s game versus New England.
“Joe’s been looking good,” Higgins said of Burrow. “He looked good last week when he was practicing. You know, I’m happy for him.”
