CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals defender Joe Burrow will not start on Sunday against New England Patriotsa source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Burrow will remain on injured reserve and will not be activated until Saturday's 4:00 pm ET deadline. It means Joe Flacco will make his sixth straight start with the Bengals.
Burrow was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game after making significant progress from a toe injury that has sidelined him since Week 2. The two-time Pro Bowler was a full participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before being sidelined on Friday. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Burrow did everything he could to prepare for the game, and Burrow told ESPN there were no setbacks during the week.
However, Taylor decided to keep Burrow for at least another week. The Bengals will play two games in five days, including a showdown with Baltimore Ravens approaching Thanksgiving.
“You play the game on Sunday, you play the game on Thursday,” Taylor told reporters Friday. “We need to take all this into account. He tried to put himself in a position where he was ready to go.”
Burrow has been aggressive in his efforts to recover from previous injuries. The most notable example was a calf injury in 2023, which he suffered early in the season and flared up shortly thereafter.
It was also important for Taylor to make a decision that was in Burrow's best interests.
“I have to take into account what’s best for him,” Taylor said. “He is recovering from an injury. He was away for a long time. I know he has the right attitude and did everything he could physically.”
“And then I have to take into account what’s best for him, what’s best for the team, and make the smartest decision.”
The Bengals (3-7) have lost seven of eight games since Burrow was injured in Week 2 against the Bengals. Jacksonville Jaguars. Cincinnati looks to complete a three-game series Sunday against the Patriots (9-2).
