The Cincinnati Bengals’ signal-caller, Joe Burrow, underwent a successful surgical procedure on Friday, a short time after sustaining a turf toe injury during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as communicated by head coach Zac Taylor to the press.
Coach Taylor mentioned that Burrow is presently in the recuperation phase, though he refrained from providing any anticipated timeframe for the return of the two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, according to reports from ESPN’s Ben Baby.
That being said, Adam Schefter of ESPN had previously indicated earlier in the week that Burrow’s surgery would keep him off the field for a period of at least three months.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (9) sits on the field after suffering a turf toe injury vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Erick W. Rasco via Getty Images)
Put differently, it’s anticipated that Burrow will be absent for the majority of the 2025 season, a season which he entered as a leading contender for the MVP award following a highly productive 2024 season during which he achieved career highs, leading the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns.
[Details about the turf toe injury and its prevalence among NFL players over several decades can be found at this link.]
The Bengals officially placed their 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick on the injured reserve list on Tuesday. Burrow sustained the toe injury during the second quarter of their 31-27 victory against the Jaguars. He remained on the ground after being sacked by Arik Armstead, a defensive lineman for Jacksonville. He received immediate medical evaluation on the field before being escorted to the sideline medical tent. Subsequently, he was assisted by trainers to reach the locker room. Following the game, he was observed using a crutch and wearing a protective walking boot on his injured toe.
The former LSU standout and Heisman Trophy recipient was substituted by Jake Browning, who managed to overcome three interceptions during the game against the Jaguars and spearheaded a 15-play, 92-yard drive that secured the win. During this critical sequence, he completed nine of his final ten pass attempts and achieved a touchdown by propelling himself over the goal line at the edge of Jacksonville’s end zone.
In his role as Burrow’s replacement in 2023, Browning achieved a 4-3 record in the seven games where he started. Throughout the nine total games he participated in that year, he completed 70.4% of his passes, accumulating 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
Now at the age of 29, Browning is prepared to make his eighth career start in the NFL against the Minnesota Vikings, the team that initially signed him as an undrafted free agent after his time at the University of Washington in 2019.
Minnesota has also had to rely on their backup quarterback, given reports that J.J. McCarthy is likely to be out for a period of two to four weeks due to a high ankle sprain he suffered during their Week 2 defeat against the Atlanta Falcons. This situation leads to the introduction of Carson Wentz, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft by the Eagles, where he served as the starting quarterback for five consecutive seasons before beginning a series of moves around the league following a significant knee injury.
