The Cincinnati Bengals will have to navigate the majority of the 2025 NFL campaign without their star quarterback, Joe Burrow. Sources indicate Burrow is slated for a surgical procedure on his foot and is expected to be out of commission for a minimum of three months because of the ailment, as reported by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Burrow suffered the setback during the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following a sack by Arik Armstead in the second quarter, Burrow was seen on the ground, seemingly clutching at his ankle area. Medical personnel attended to him on the field before escorting him to the sideline medical enclosure.
Following the incident, Burrow initially began to move toward the team’s changing area independently, but eventually required the support of two athletic trainers.
Initially, the Bengals listed Burrow as questionable to return due to what they described as a toe injury. However, as the third quarter came to a close, the team officially announced his unavailability for the remainder of the game. Reports suggest that Burrow underwent an MRI examination during the third quarter and required the use of a mobility scooter following the imaging. After the game concluded, he was observed wearing a protective boot and utilizing a crutch for support.
Prior to the injury, Burrow had been displaying his usual high level of performance. Before his exit, he had successfully completed 7 of his 13 pass attempts for a total of 76 yards and one touchdown.
With Burrow unavailable, the Bengals relied on backup quarterback Jake Browning, who orchestrated a decisive final drive and secured a touchdown with only 19 seconds remaining on the clock, resulting in a 31-27 victory for the Bengals.
Now with Burrow out, it is widely expected that the Bengals will hand over the reins to Browning as the team’s primary signal-caller. Browning has experienced this role previously, having started in seven games for the team during Burrow’s absence due to injury in 2023. Browning delivered a solid performance during that period, throwing for 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions in nine appearances. He also achieved a league-best completion rate of 70.4 percent of his passes that season.
After Burrow’s return to full health in 2024, Browning only participated in three games and did not attempt any passes.
Brett Rypien is currently part of the team’s practice squad and could potentially serve as Browning’s backup. The Bengals are reportedly planning to reach out to available free-agent quarterbacks and are likely to make another addition at the position while Burrow is sidelined, according to Schefter.
The significance of Burrow to the Bengals cannot be overstated. When in optimal condition, he stands out as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. Last season, Burrow topped the charts among all passers with 4,918 yards and an impressive 43 touchdown passes.
On the heels of their recent victory, the Bengals boast a 2-0 record as they begin the 2025 NFL season.
