With Joe Burrow having returned to practice this week, attention around the Bengals has turned to his ability to suit up for the closing stages of the season. Playoff consideration is far from certain in Cincinnati’s case, but that will not impact Burrow’s recovery process. 
The Bengals exited Sunday’s game against the Steelers with a 3-7 record. The state of the AFC North leaves the door slightly open to a run at top spot in the division for Cincinnati, something which would of course be more likely in the event Burrow were to return in the near future. Even if the team falls out of contention, though, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network writes Burrow will suit up upon receiving full medical clearance.
For now, the 28-year-old has been limited to seven-on-seven work in practice as he awaits clearance for full participation. Even when Burrow is back in game action, Rapoport notes he is expected to do so with a metal plate in his shoe, adding Burrow will not have full mobility. Nevertheless, a return around Thanksgiving or one week later remains the target.
The Bengals’ offense received a boost thanks to the midseason Joe Flacco trade. Defensive struggles have remained an issue for the team, however, and they threaten to result in another year defined by the failure to meet expectations. Burrow is under contract through 2029, and a cautious approach would be understandable from the team’s perspective given the financial commitment made to the former No. 1 pick. Burrow is nonetheless on track to see the field soon.
Cincinnati hopes the same will be true of Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals elected to retain him past the trade deadline despite lowering their asking price to a second-round pick. Last year’s sack leader is out for Week 11, his third missed came of the season. Hendrickson is dealing with a core muscle injury, Rapoport reports. He adds a move to injured reserve has received consideration but team and player are aiming to avoid it.
Likewise, Hendrickson hopes to avoid undergoing surgery to address the issue until after the season is over. The latest round of failed extension talks in this case resulted in the four-time Pro Bowler agreeing to a straight raise regarding his 2025 compensation. Hendrickson, 31 in December, could receive the franchise tag this spring but otherwise he remains on track for free agency.
Of course, Hendrickson’s value will take a hit if he remains sidelined for an extended period. If things go according to plan, though, he will be healthy along with Burrow for the closing weeks of the season.
$55m/season? Darn right he’s playing.
You could also say the opposite. At 55m, why am I sending him out there in a lost season, which can only give us a worse draft pick (and possibly get him hurt).
They’re paid to play (when healthy). How many other Bengals are hurting but starting; plenty.
Bingo. I don’t want him to go out there and re-injure himself but it’s pretty unethical to collect millions of dollars in game checks when he’s physically able. And he would do it anyway
Wouldn’t *
He’s been injured half his career already. If you’re healthy to play, then play. I don’t see the franchise giving fans refunds for stars missing games.
Your comment is irrelevant he’s making 55M a year!!!!!!! He’s playing!!
Because fans are paying to see him play, not Flacco. Because if he does get hurt, he has a entire off season to recover.
They’ve had the best offense in football the last month, QB play is not the issue. Let Flacco be the meat shield, protect your investment and get a better draft position. Pretty simple math here.
Good point, but the fans pay to see Burrow.
If the Bengals are throwing in the towel I would play Browning. See if he ever comes around or if he’s toast. If he doesn’t correct his spiral then maybe get Joe Flacco to hang around another year or two. This latest round of injuries sucks, but maybe now we’ll get to see if any of the backups are worth anything. Tag Hendrickson next year and dump about half of the starting defense. Taylor-Britt doesn’t look good, Geno Stone looks lost on every play and the rookies look like they’re JV playing the Varsity. First thing they have to do is DUMP Taylor and Golden and anyone else connected to that garbage defense. Get a REAL head coach with experience and go against any inclination the Bengals brain trust has on draft day.
Bengals only AFC team to get to Super Bowl other than Patriots or Chiefs since the Broncos ten years ago and now Broncos and Patriots are top 2 seeds as of today’s action.
It should be obvious to everyone that Burrow will be worth very little by the time he becomes a free agent in 2030. Bengals have to play him and hope he performs well enough that they can unload his contract on some other team in the next season or 2027 at the latest. Joe has become Andrew Luck 2.0.
They wont get rid of Burrow. He has made them relevant. With an AFC Championship, they may never get rid of Taylor as well.
Yes he has been injured most of his career and not to much fault of his own. Granted he takes some risks that he shouldn’t sometimes. But much can be said about the FO and ownership. Carson Palmer was right in telling Joe Burrow that the Bengals don’t want to win. As long as the stands are filled the ol tight wad is happy and nothing is going to change with him.