Joe Burrow's return went from hopeful to official on Wednesday, as the Bengals moved their franchise quarterback back onto the 53-man roster and cleared him to start Thursday night against the Ravens.
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Burrow has been out since Week 2, when torn ligaments in his toe knocked him out of Cincinnati's win over the Jaguars and sent the Bengals scrambling for answers at quarterback.
They never truly found one. Cincinnati sits at 3-8, but the AFC North has been chaotic enough that the division race is somehow still within reach. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are both 6-5, keeping the door cracked open for a late run.
Before the injury, Burrow was coming off a monster season in which he led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, earning AP Comeback Player of the Year. His return gives Cincinnati at least a chance to salvage what's left of its season.
The Bengals made another move Wednesday by activating safety Daijahn Anthony from injured reserve. Anthony has missed the entire regular season with a hamstring injury but was recently designated to return.
To make room, Cincinnati placed cornerback Marco Wilson on injured reserve after he suffered his own hamstring injury during the Week 12 loss to New England.
With Burrow back under center and several pieces getting healthy, the Bengals are hoping Thursday night marks the beginning of a late-season climb rather than the continuation of a lost year.
