The Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers to open Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season, but they are doing it without Joe Burrow. Why is that?

CINCINNATI -- For the first time in over a month, Joe Burrow is in attendance to watch his team play. The Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback hasn't been to a game since injuring his toe in Week 2, but he's in the building at Paycor Stadium for the team's huge Thursday night showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers made it a throwback "Thursday Night Football." The Bengals emerged victorious over the Steelers.

The Cincinnati Bengals hit primetime on short notice for an AFC North battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. There, Joe Flacco and the Bengals hoped to save the season and pick up a second divisional win and did just that, 33-31. Here’s a look at live updates from the game as it unfolded.

This team is going nowhere with or without Joe Burrow. He’s not saving this team if ... there will be a large audience that will shrug and stare at Burrow’s and Chase’s highlights. Patrick Mahomes doesn't have players as good as Chase and Higgins ...

Broncos QB Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos dominated Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals on Monday Night Football. Here's what happened:

Despite all that, Burrow’s possible winter return before the season ends didn’t get that much attention. But NFL reporter Ian Rapoport joined an ESPN show this week and said it’s the one storyline that isn’t getting the attention it deserves right now: