CINCINNATI – A source confirms that Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton will play against the Ravens on Thursday night.

The decision comes just four days after the Bengals made him inactive for their Week 9 win over the Raiders.

Burton was expected to be the Bengals' second-best receiver in Week 9, but he missed Saturday's walkthrough, resulting in him being inactive.

“Yes, Jermaine was a big part of the plan. And over the course of the week, there were a lot of positive things people said about him. Everything was right. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said after the 41-24 win. And then late in the week we just had to get all our business done properly. And that's why I can say that it was a difficult decision to make him inactive, but it was absolutely the right decision.

Taylor made it clear that they planned to play Burton against the Ravens. The good news is that they worked out a full game plan with him last week. While there have been improvements, they can draw on them Thursday night against the Ravens.

“It just has to get better,” Burton said several times when asked about the situation.

The 23-year-old will get his chance on Thursday evening. The Bengals enter with a record of 4:5 and face one of the best teams in the NFL. They need a win. Will the rookie help fill the offensive void with Tee Higgins sidelined?

Burton will be one of four active wide receivers, with tight end Mike Gesicki also expected to play a large role in the passing game.

Burton is expected to see a lot of snaps, most notably Ja'Marr Chase and also Gesicki, Andrei Iosivas and Trenton Irwin.

Taylor gives Burton another chance. We'll see if he can take advantage of it.

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