Overview
- Cincinnati officially activated Burrow from injured reserve, confirming he will start Thursday in Baltimore after Zac Taylor signaled the move earlier in the week.
- The Bengals went 1-8 without Burrow, cycling through Jake Browning and Joe Flacco during a prolonged slide to 3-8.
- Burrow dismissed calls to sit out the rest of the season, saying he will play if healthy and will not make decisions based on fear of re-injury.
- Playoff chances are remote—pegged as under 1% by oddsmakers—and analysts say the most plausible path requires winning out and sweeping the Ravens in the two remaining meetings.
- Cincinnati also activated safety Daijahn Anthony and placed cornerback Marco Wilson on injured reserve as part of concurrent roster moves.