Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow confirmed Tuesday that he will return to play for Thursday’s American Thanksgiving game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow underwent surgery on September 19 to treat a sprained toe and returned almost a month ahead of schedule.
“We pushed the limits and relied on my feelings, my recovery and the evolution of my injury. We just did it that way,” said Burrow, who missed nine games.
Burrow returns to a Bengals team that is 3-8, has lost its last four games and is in last place in the AFC North.
Despite the Bengals’ struggles, it was important to head coach Zac Taylor that Burrow return as soon as he was ready, regardless of the team’s record.
It was also important to Burrow.
“I’m a football player,” he said. If I get injured I will follow the rehabilitation program and let you know as soon as I feel ready to play again. I don’t have much else to add. I will never tell anyone: Yes, I am in good shape, but I don’t think I should play. It doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m not going to live my life and play this sport afraid that something will happen to me. »
Even though Burrow hasn’t played in over two months, he showed good form in training last week. The coaches included him in the reserve team as well as the starting attack for 11-on-11 drills, which allowed him to better assimilate the rhythm of the game.
Burrow could have played last week against the New England Patriots, but Taylor preferred to start Joe Flacco for this meeting. Burrow said he understands the decision.
“I had a good training session at the start of the week, I felt good,” he said. Wednesday and Thursday I had training, I repeated the exercises a lot. I had aches. Not necessarily on the toe. My toe is doing great. It was more the rest of my body that was making me suffer after such a long absence. »
“I was hopeful that I would recover and be ready to play on Sunday. Zac ultimately thought it was better to wait those extra four days and I think it was a good decision. »
After a difficult two months, Burrow said playing on Thanksgiving, in the national spotlight, was very important to him. He vividly remembers, as a child, watching the Detroit Lions and their quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Ravens started the season 1-5, but reeled off five straight wins to join the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North.
“We don’t like them,” Burrow admitted. It’s a sectional rivalry. We respect them. The atmosphere is intense on the pitch. I definitely wanted to play on Thanksgiving. It’s something I always wanted to do, something I campaigned for, and the NFL gave it to us. »
“Then, you know, I got injured and I thought I wouldn’t be able to play. And then, as the date approached, I felt like it was a real possibility. So, it’s really exciting for me. This is a unique opportunity to prove myself on the national scene after several weeks of inactivity. »
The Bengals will also be able to count on the return of receiver Ja’Marr Chase, suspended for one game following his spitting on Jalen Ramsey of the Steelers. On the other hand, Tee Higgins will be absent due to a concussion.
