Significant injury news has emerged from the AFC North involving quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers.
Will Joe Burrow Play in Week 12?
Bengals say quarterback Joe Burrow is questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Patriots.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2025
On November 10, the Bengals activated Burrow’s 21-day return window. Burrow has been on injured reserve since suffering a toe injury that required surgery. Burrow has not played a snap since Week 2.
Burrow’s projected return date is Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens. However, Burrow turned heads this week after practicing every day.
This begs the question: Will Burrow return ahead of schedule and play against the New England Patriots on Sunday?
Coach Zac Taylor is not ready to name his starting quarterback for Sunday. Taylor told reporters that Burrow is questionable for Sunday’s game.
“We’ll take the time we’ve got, assess all the practice we’ve had this week,” Taylor said via ESPN. “He’s done everything he can to try to put himself and get ready to go. Now I have to make a decision on what we do.”
The Bengals have until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate Burrow to the 53-man roster. Even if the Bengals activate Burrow, that does not guarantee he will play.
Joe Flacco will start for the fifth consecutive game if Burrow can’t go.
Offense has not been a problem. The Bengals are averaging 28.6 points per game with Flacco under center.
Similar to last year, the Bengals can’t stop a nosebleed. The Bengals rank last in total defense (418.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (33.4 points per game).
At 3-7, the Bengals’ season is on life support. The margin of error is minuscule. A loss on Sunday might be the nail in the coffin for the Bengals’ playoff aspirations.
Will Aaron Rodgers Play in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers at practice today, continuing to work pic.twitter.com/mcP8IHCwG4
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) November 21, 2025
Rodgers is dealing with a wrist injury that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Rodgers broke a bone in his left wrist in last Sunday’s win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
After missing practice on Wednesday, Rodgers returned in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday.
Is Mike Tomlin ready to decide on his quarterback’s status for Week 12? Not yet.
“I thought I saw a solid effort, but it’s Friday, so we’ve still got some time,” Tomlin said via Steelers.com. “He was listed as a partial participant and given a questionable designation. And we’ll see where the weekend leads us.”
If Rodgers can’t go, Mason Rudolph will start instead.
Rodgers has been better than expected this season, with 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The Steelers are 6-4 and hold a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens for first place. Speaking of the Ravens, the Steelers still play Baltimore twice, including Week 18 to close the season.
