Burrow expected to return vs. Ravens on Thursday

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Monday that he anticipates Joe Burrow will return for Thursday night's divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The quarterback has missed the last nine games after suffering a turf toe injury in Week 2 that required surgery. Returning Thursday would put him ahead of the initially reported three-month recovery timeline.

Burrow will be reunited with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who missed the team's last game as he served a suspension for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

However, the Bengals will not have wide receiver Tee Higgins on Thursday due to a concussion, and pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson remains sidelined with a hip issue.

The Bengals lost eight of the nine games that Burrow missed. At 3-8, Cincinnati faces a steep climb to potentially reach the postseason. The 6-5 Ravens share the top spot in the AFC North with the Steelers.