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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was activated from injured reserve and will start in Thursday's (November 27) Thanksgiving primetime game against the AFC North Division rival Baltimore Ravens, the team announced on Wednesday (November 26).
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor had previously told reporters that he was anticipating Burrow's return for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a Grade 3 turf toe on September 19 on Monday (November 24).
"#Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters that, on Joe Burrow: “Anticipate him playing” … but no official determination. Tee Higgins (concussion) and Trey Hendrickson (hip) are both out," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote on his X account.
Burrow was listed as a full participant in practice for the first time on November 19, two days after he returned to practice in a limited capacity on November 10, which opened a 21-day period in which he could participate in limited practice without counting against the active roster.
Burrow was ruled out of the Bengals' Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering an injury during the second quarter. The former Heisman Trophy winner was later seen being helped to the locker room during the following drive, appearing to struggle putting weight on his leg.
Burrow has had a history of injuries during his six-year NFL career, which includes a torn ACL, MCL and PCL as a rookie in 2020; a dislocated pinky finger in 2021; an MCL sprain in Super Bowl LVI in 2022; a calf strain during the 2023 training camp that lingered throughout the season and a torn right wrist ligament that ended his 2023 season in Week 10. The former No. 1 overall pick winner threw for 76 yards and one touchdown on 7 of 13 passing in the Week 2 win prior to his injury.