Joe Burrow sidelined with feared turf toe setback
Cincinnati Bengals fans are holding their breath right now, because the team’s hot start to the season has been overshadowed by some very tough news. Quarterback Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise and one of the elite passers in the NFL, is feared to have suffered a serious toe injury that could keep him off the field for at least three months. According to reports, it’s believed to be a Grade 3 turf toe injury, the kind that doesn’t just require rest—it usually means surgery is needed.
The injury happened in the second quarter of Cincinnati’s 31–27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. At the time, Burrow had already put his stamp on the game, tossing a touchdown pass before things took a turn. He left the game limping, later spotted in a walking boot and using a crutch. That visual alone told fans this wasn’t going to be a short absence.
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Backup quarterback Jake Browning was called into action, and while his play was far from perfect—241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions—he still did enough to guide the Bengals to victory. More importantly, that win pushed Cincinnati to a 2–0 start, their best opening stretch since 2018. But the celebration quickly gave way to concern, because the loss of Burrow casts a long shadow over what had looked like a promising year.
If the diagnosis holds true, the earliest possible return would be mid-December, and even that timeline might be optimistic. This would mark the third significant injury Burrow has faced in just six NFL seasons. Back in 2020, his rookie campaign ended after devastating knee injuries—torn ACL, PCL, MCL, and meniscus. Then in 2023, a torn wrist ligament sidelined him for the last half of the season. Now, it’s a toe injury threatening to derail things yet again.
The Bengals do have some experience in surviving without him. Browning stepped in last season and posted a respectable 4–3 record as the starter, completing over 70 percent of his passes. But make no mistake—while Browning is capable, he isn’t Burrow. Few quarterbacks can match the poise, accuracy, and leadership Burrow brings. That’s why this injury stings so much for both the team and its fans.
For Cincinnati, the season doesn’t stop. Their next challenge comes in Week 3 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. The team will have to rally behind Browning, the defense, and a strong supporting cast of weapons like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Still, the truth is simple—life without Burrow will be a steep climb.
So while the Bengals sit at 2–0 and in a better spot than in past years when injuries struck, the loss of their franchise quarterback is nothing short of devastating. Now the countdown begins, with fans hoping that surgery and recovery go smoothly and that Burrow can somehow return in time to help the Bengals finish what looked like a promising season.
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