Bengals not activating QB Joe Burrow (toe; questionable) off IR; Joe Flacco to start vs. Patriots

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2025-11-23

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It’ll be another week without Joe Burrow for the Bengals.

Cincinnati won’t be activating its franchise quarterback from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game against the Patriots, meaning Burrow, who went into the weekend listed as questionable, will miss the contest, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.

The Bengals have since downgraded Burrow to out, bringing Joe Flacco to make his sixth start in relief.

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Burrow’s absence isn’t entirely surprising. The Bengals have a short turnaround after this week with a Thanksgiving game on deck versus the rival Ravens. Given Burrow is already well ahead of schedule in his recovery, having practiced in full twice this week before logging a limited session Friday, it might be a matter of protecting him against himself.

However, Cincy is also nearing a point of no return on the season.

After going on to win the Week 2 game in which Burrow sustained his injury, the Bengals have since dropped seven of their past eight contests to fall to 3-7, unable to overcome a woeful defense that ranks last in the league in both yards and points allowed. The AFC North isn’t entirely out of reach, but with the Steelers leading the way at 6-4 and the Ravens sitting at 5-5, the Bengals can’t take many more losses and still realistically pull out a miraculous run.

It’ll be up to Flacco to upset New England and keep hope alive without Burrow. Outside of last week’s 34-12 stinker against the Steelers, the 40-year-old has played lights out, throwing for 1,453 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions since coming over via trade at the beginning of October.

The degree of difficulty he’ll face in trying to take down the Pats, who have won eight straight games, will be even more heightened, however, by losing Ja’Marr Chase to a one-game suspension.

Should he overcome that Sunday, it would ensure the Bengals — and Burrow if he proves healthy enough to return in a few days time — very much have something to play for in Week 13 and beyond.