Bengals' Zac Taylor wants 'best thing' for Joe Burrow...

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says that no matter when they decide to get Joe Burrow back on the field, it will be an informed decision with the quarterback’s best interests in mind.

Whether Burrow plays against the New England Patriots on Week 12 or not, he’s back much faster than most outsiders expected, compared to the general timelines given on Grade 3 turf toe that requires surgery.

For Taylor, the goal is using all of the information, Burrow’s response and other factors to judge when to get him back out there.

"I have to take into account what I think is best for him. He's coming back off an injury. He's been out for a long time," Taylor said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. "I know he's of the right mindset and has done everything physically, and then I have to take into account what's the best thing for him, what's the best thing for our team and make the soundest decision."

Taylor added the following: "There's a lot to balance. I mean, he comes back, he's done everything he can. He looks great. He looks healthy. You expect it to respond great. When he's out there getting tackled, you don't know. So every day that you can take matters with any injury."

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s interesting to judge whether the Bengals should or would step in and influence whether Burrow actually returns to the field this year with the team at 3-7, potentially jeopardizing 2026, too.

From that same perspective, it’s fair for fans to wonder how hot the seat of Taylor’s coaching staff might be and how it may or may not play a role in decision-making here. Unlikely, but fans will understandably wonder.

Regardless, it’s important to keep in mind that even if the Bengals do activate Burrow to the 53-man roster before the game against the Patriots, that it doesn’t mean he’s a lock to actually see the field in that game.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals' Zac Taylor wants 'best thing' for Joe Burrow above all else