Joe Burrow to start final 3 games despite Bengals' elimination - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Even though the Bengals are out of playoff contention, don't expect a quarterback change.

Joe Burrow is expected to start the final three games of the regular season, coach Zac Taylor said Monday, one day after the Bengals suffered a 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens that ended the team's playoff hopes.

Taylor said the team hasn't considered sitting Burrow, who missed nine games this season with a turf toe injury that required surgery.

«We want to win,» Taylor said when asked for the reasoning for the decision.

Burrow, a two-time Pro Bowler, has played in three games since returning from the injury that he suffered in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It marked the third time in his six-year career that he has been placed on injured reserve, with the first two instances (2020, torn ACL; 2023, ruptured wrist ligament) each ending his season.

Burrow put in considerable work to return 10 weeks after he had surgery to repair the issue. And the comeback has had both good and bad moments.

One week after saying he played pretty close to perfect in a loss to the Buffalo Bills, Burrow was extremely self-critical following the shutout defeat at home against the Ravens. He was 25-of-39 passing for 225 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. It was the second straight week that Burrow has thrown a second-half pick that was returned for a touchdown.

«I think this is one of the worst games I've played,» Burrow said. «I'm honest with myself and my play. I hold myself to a high standard and today didn't come close.»

Burrow also added that he wants to play the final three games of the season, as well. Throughout his comeback, Burrow has been vocal about having as much fun as possible when playing the