Joe Burrow is set to make his long-awaited return on Thanksgiving.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday that Cincinnati's star quarterback is expected to play Thursday against the Baltimore Ravens.
"He looks like he's in good shape to be ready to go," Taylor said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Burrow has not played since he suffered a toe injury that required surgery in Week 2.
Cincinnati (3-8) has gone 1-8 without Burrow this season with Jake Browning and Joe Flacco (who the Bengals traded for in October) each starting multiple games. While Flacco played admirably since swapping AFC North clubs, a porous defense has put the Bengals in yet another hole to climb out of as they would likely have to win out their remaining games to have a chance to make the playoffs this season.
Such a scenario is more plausible with Burrow under center, however, and the Bengals face the Ravens (currently tied with the Steelers for the division lead) twice over the next three weeks.
Burrow had his practice window opened on Nov. 10, less than two months after sustaining a toe injury that was initially expected to keep him out at least three months. He then surprisingly logged two full practices last week, taking first-team reps, before returning to limited participation on Friday ahead of receiving a questionable designation for Cincy's Week 12 game against the Patriots.
Burrow ultimately did not play Sunday -- a 26-20 loss to New England -- but a holiday return seemed likely given his practice participation last week.
In addition to Burrow, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will play Thursday after missing Week 12 due to a suspension for spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
Taylor told reporters on Monday that wide receiver Tee Higgins will miss the Baltimore game after suffering a concussion on Sunday.
