Bengals play it safe with Joe Burrow’s injury comeback

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without Joe Burrow for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, giving him longer to recover from a persistent toe injury.

Burrow suffered turf toe in Week 2 and has not featured since then. However he returned to take part in team practice as a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday this week, before being listed as limited on Friday.

There were hopes that he might be fit to return to face the Patriots but head coach Zac Taylor has suggested that the game comes too early.

“You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday,” Taylor explained, speaking to reporters on Friday. “Got to factor in all that stuff. He’s tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go.”

“I have to take into account what’s best for him,” Taylor said. “He’s coming back off an injury. He’s been out for a long time. I know he’s of the right mindset and has done everything he can physically. And then I have to take into account what’s the best thing for him, what’s the best thing for the team and make the soundest decision.”

It his place, veteran QB Joe Flacco is set to get a sixth straight start since his midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns. Flacco impressed in his early outings with Cincinnati but the team is now on a three-game losing streak.

The Bengals are now third in AFC North with a 3-7 record and need a victory over the 9-2 Patriots to keep their slim hopes of a postseason appearance alive.

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