Should I start Joe Burrow in fantasy on Thanksgiving? Bengals QB lineup tips vs. Ravens originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Bengals officially announced their activation of Joe Burrow for Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. It's a huge boost to the Bengals' offense, but the fantasy football impact is a major unknown.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoe Flacco has been a quality fill-in for fantasy managers, and now Burrow has returned and could be a key contributor for fantasy managers the rest of the season.
But, in his first game back on Thanksgiving night against the Ravens, should fantasy managers start Burrow? There's a strong case both for and against Burrow to be in lineups this week.
Should fantasy managers start Joe Burrow in Week 13?
Burrow, in standard, four-point touchdown scoring leagues, has 8.82 and 7.04 points so far this season. His Week 1 matchup was against a tough Cleveland Browns defense, and in Week 2, he left early with a toe injury.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, 11 weeks after that injury, Burrow is back in the lineup for the Bengals, and could be back in fantasy lineups in Week 13 as well.
Facing the Ravens, the 24th-ranked passing defense, there's reason to believe in Burrow this week. While it's in Baltimore, Burrow will likely need to throw the ball due to the Bengals' poor defense, and the Ravens are a good matchup to throw against.
If Burrow had been playing all season long, then this would be an easy start/sit decision in favor of having Burrow in lineups. But it's not so simple. There are a few reasons to be concerned.
More: How Ja'Marr Chase's suspension can cost Bengals' WR over $500,000
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor starters, this is Burrow's first game back after missing multiple months since Week 2 of the NFL season. Any player returning from injury should give fantasy managers pause, and this toe issue is something to be wary of.
But, even if one gets past that issue, the Bengals' offense will be limited this week. Tee Higgins is out with a concussion, and while Ja'Marr Chase is active, he's coming off a one-game suspension for spitting on Jalen Ramsey.
While Chase Brown, Andrei Iosivas, Mike Gesicki, Mitchell Tinsley, and Noah Fant aren't the worst options for Burrow, being without Higgins is a significant blow.
If managers can use an alternative, then Burrow should stay out of lineups. But if the other options are waiver wire quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, or Tyler Shough, then sticking with Burrow is a better decision.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile he's a huge risk in his first week back, the upside is there, and he could lead a spirited Bengals offense in Week 13 against the Ravens to try and keep their season alive.
More Bengals News:
Bengals Ja'Marr Chase to sit out one game, as NFL will reportedly uphold his suspension
Ja'Marr Chase suspension: Why spitting incident with Jalen Ramsey led to one-game ban
Bengals' defense graded as worst in NFL history through 10 games since 1978
Bengals get brutal injury update on second-round standout defender
