when does joe burrow come back

Joe Burrow is expected to be out for a minimum of 12 weeks following surgery for a Grade 3 turf toe injury. The earliest he could potentially return is by mid-to-late December 2025, around Week 15 or 16 of the NFL season. However, this return is not guaranteed and depends on the progress of his rehabilitation and whether the Cincinnati Bengals remain in playoff contention. If the team struggles or is not playoff-bound, he may not return this season. The most realistic scenario now is that Burrow could return in the playoffs, assuming a successful recovery and the Bengals qualifying for the postseason.