What is Joe Burrow's Timeline to Return to Bengals From Injury? Latest Rumors on QB

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is reportedly progressing well since the team's decision to open his practice window last week.

Burrow has been out for the past nine weeks due to a toe injury, but according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Bengals plan to increase Burrow's workload in practice this week, and it has been "so far, so good" in terms of his recovery.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added that Burrow wants to play, although it isn't clear if the Bengals may attempt to hold him back and shut him down should they feel they are out of playoff contention by the time he is ready to play.

Graziano believes Burrow will play once he is cleared, and Burrow is targeting a Thanksgiving return against the Baltimore Ravens, although the Bengals have until their Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills to activate him.

Burrow's health became the biggest story of the season for the Bengals when he suffered a turf toe injury that required surgery during a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported shortly after the injury that the LSU product was expected to miss a minimum of three months.

Cincinnati started 2-0 when Burrow was in the lineup but then lost the next four without him and six of seven before he returned to practice on Nov. 10.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Burrow was looking to potentially return around the team's Thanksgiving game against the Ravens, and the quarterback himself told reporters being on the field for that matchup would be "very" meaningful.

But Cincinnati's position in the standings also figured to factor into the decision given how important the franchise quarterback is for the team over the long-term future and beyond what turned into a largely disappointing season after he suffered his injury.

Jake Browning struggled in place of Burrow shortly after the injury, and the team responded by trading for Joe Flacco. Flacco has thrived at times and even led the Bengals to a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the defense has remained an issue.

In fact, Cincinnati lost a game to the Chicago Bears even when Flacco threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns.

Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy, but even he might not be enough to overcome the defensive woes on a team that loses a game despite scoring 42 points with the quarterback throwing for nearly 500 yards.

Entering Sunday's home game against the New England Patriots, the Bengals are 3-7. A loss would leave them no room for error, and it is possible they wouldn't make the playoffs even if they run the table.

A returning Burrow could potentially help them go on an undefeated run, but there is still uncertainty regarding when or if he will return.