Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is back practicing with the team after having his 21-day return window opened.
And he might be back earlier than anyone expected, too, it seems.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer dropped this hint right after the Bengals opened Burrow’s return window:
“Last week Joe Burrow told me he’s returning wayyyy sooner than was expected and gave me the timeline of “by Thanksgiving.” Now will start practicing on a limited basis. Absolutely unreal attack of rehab and response. At first medical people didn’t believe he’d be back before playoffs.”
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There’s not a lot of wiggle room left for “wayyyy sooner than was expected” but even a week’s difference could make all the difference for the 3-6 Bengals.
Now that Burrow’s window is open, the team can activate him to the 53-man roster at any time within the 21-day window. The Bengals play Pittsburgh, New England and Baltimore over the next three weeks.
Getting Burrow back even a week earlier than the mid-December projection, like say, the December 7 date against the Buffalo Bills, could be a season-altering thing, provided the Bengals defense can wake up and help win a few games while he practices.
Glazer’s report, of course, hints at Thanksgiving. If he can return there, he’d get a shot at playing against the Ravens twice in three weeks.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Joe Burrow could be returning ‘sooner than was expected,’ per report
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

