CINCINNATI — Joe Burrow’s return will have to wait. The Bengals decided not to start Burrow on Sunday against the New England Patriots, despite the quarterback being close to returning from his toe injury, league sources said.

Dr. Bowers: "I view the risk of re-injury as low. The carbon fiber plate provides solid protection for the toe. However, because he may be returning slightly ahead of schedule, he could be a bit less mobile when scrambling and may have more difficulty escaping pressure. That could lead to a few extra hits on plays he might normally evade."