Joe Burrow Playing Sunday vs. Patriots? Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball With Scott Springer, Shedeur Sanders To Start For Browns

On today's show we discuss the possibility of Joe Burrow playing Sunday for the Bengals after he was a full participant in practice, Scott Springer of The Enquirer stops by to talk Bearcats basketball, 2 upsets in college basketball last night + Shedeur Sanders to get his first NFL start Sunday vs. Raiders

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year, has been sidelined since Week 2 of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a severe turf toe injury sustained in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old's absence has mirrored the team's struggles, with Cincinnati plummeting to a 3-7 record, including a dismal 1-7 stretch without him. Veteran Joe Flacco, acquired midseason from Cleveland, has stabilized the offense somewhat but couldn't prevent three straight losses, leaving the Bengals three games out in the AFC North and clinging to +2000 playoff odds.

Enter Week 12: a pivotal home matchup against the surging 9-2 New England Patriots, led by MVP frontrunner Drake Maye. Burrow's 21-day practice window opened on November 10, and Wednesday's injury report delivered a bombshell—he was a full participant for the first time since surgery, logging reps in 11-on-11 drills. This upgrade, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, sparked immediate speculation, shifting betting lines from Patriots -8.5 to -7.5 favorites.

Coach Zac Taylor remains coy, stating Thursday on 700WLW, "We don't know yet," when pressed on Burrow starting Sunday. The original target was Thanksgiving against Baltimore, a game Burrow called "very" meaningful in a rare interview. Yet, Flacco's lingering shoulder issue—limiting him Wednesday—has complicated matters, opening the door for an earlier push. NFL insider Albert Breer noted the "psycho competitor" in Burrow might accelerate his timeline, though the team hasn't committed.

A return would be seismic. Burrow's precision passing (career 68% completion) could ignite an offense reeling without suspended star Ja'Marr Chase, who's out for the game after a failed appeal. Last year's late surge from 4-8 to contention offers hope for a playoff miracle, but rushing risks reinjury in a season already marred by defensive woes. With activation deadline looming December 1, Sunday at Paycor Stadium could mark Burrow's triumphant reboot—or a cautious delay.

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