Joe Burrow Injury Update: Bengals QB Out for Months After Toe Surgery

Joe Burrow will miss at least three months after toe surgery. The Cincinnati Bengals confirmed their star quarterback suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Sunday’s win. Burrow went down in the second quarter and did not return.

Coach Zac Taylor said the surgery was necessary and did not give a clear return date. Burrow’s absence leaves the Bengals facing another long stretch without their leader.

Joe Burrow’s Recovery Timeline

According to ESPN and AP reports, Burrow will be sidelined for a minimum of three months. That means he could miss most of the 2025 regular season. This is not the first time Burrow has faced a long layoff.

His rookie year in 2020 ended with a severe knee injury. In 2023, a wrist problem kept him out for seven games. He has now suffered three major injuries in just five years.

Backup Jake Browning will take over the starting job. Browning replaced Burrow against the Jaguars and led a 92-yard game-winning drive. He completed 21 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals trust him to keep the season alive.

How the Bengals Will Cope Without Burrow

The Bengals are off to a 2-0 start, their best since 2018. But the schedule gets tough. Their next five games are against teams that made the playoffs last season.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said the team must stay focused. “It’s a rollercoaster,” Chase said. “Every week from here on out, we’ve got to focus and execute.”

Browning has experience. He went 4-3 as a starter when Burrow was injured in 2023. Coach Taylor expressed full confidence in him. “I feel very confident in Jake,” he said.

Still, losing Burrow changes the outlook. The Bengals will need to lean more on their run game and defense. Burrow’s leadership and passing ability cannot be replaced easily.

What This Means for Cincinnati’s Season

Cincinnati had Super Bowl hopes this year. With Burrow sidelined, those goals are now in doubt. The AFC is packed with strong teams, and the Bengals must fight to stay in the race.

Fans have seen this story before. Burrow has twice won NFL Comeback Player of the Year. But constant injuries raise questions about his long-term health.

The Bengals will try to rally around Browning. But the coming weeks may define their season. Wins will be hard to come by without Burrow on the field.

Joe Burrow injury update leaves Bengals facing months without their star. The next stretch could decide their playoff hopes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How long will Joe Burrow be out?

Burrow is expected to miss at least three months. The exact return date depends on his recovery from surgery.

Q2: What injury does Joe Burrow have?

He suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.

Q3: Who will start for the Bengals now?

Backup quarterback Jake Browning will take over. He has starting experience from 2023.

Q4: How have the Bengals performed without Burrow before?

Browning went 4-3 as a starter in 2023 when Burrow was injured. The team has won games with him leading the offense.

Q5: What does this mean for the Bengals’ season?

The Bengals face five playoff teams in their next five games. Winning without Burrow will be a major challenge.