Joe Burrow dismisses worries as the 3-8 Bengals prepare for the matchup against the Ravens

Joe Burrow Set to Return on Thanksgiving Night

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is gearing up to make his much-anticipated comeback this Thursday when the AFC North faces off against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day.

Currently, the Bengals share the bottom position in their division alongside the Cleveland Browns, both holding a 3-8 record. Still, this did not play a role in Burrow’s decision to return about a month earlier than many expected.

“I’m a football player. I get paid a lot of money to play games with my friends and we work hard,” Burrow told reporters recently. “The intensity is there; the work is on the line. But at the end of the day, it’s a game. I’ve put in the work to get healthy and now I’m excited to play with my teammates. That’s the goal.”

When asked whether his importance to the team warranted a more cautious approach, Burrow explained that injuries are simply part of the sport.

“I’m a football player. If I get injured, I go through rehab and when I’m ready to play, I’ll let everyone know. I wouldn’t tell someone ‘Oh, I’m healthy, but I don’t think I’ll play.’ That doesn’t make sense to me.”

Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After he went down, Jake Browning stepped in as the starter. Unfortunately, the Bengals faced a rough stretch, losing their next three games. This led to the team trading for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Under Flacco’s leadership, the Bengals managed just one win in six games, which included four consecutive losses.

Looking ahead to the Thanksgiving night match against the Ravens, who have turned their season around with five straight victories after a rocky start, Burrow expressed his eagerness to get back on the field. “This is a divisional game. We have a lot of respect for them, and the intensity is high. Playing on Thanksgiving is something I’ve always wanted. There was a moment I thought it wouldn’t happen due to my injury, but as game day approached, I felt more confident about my chances. So, I’m excited to show what I can do again.”