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Ben Baby
CINCINNATI — As the rest of the Bengals performed stretches at one end of their indoor training center Friday morning, Joe Burrow stood by himself, holding his helmet.
Once the squad completed its typical warm-up exercises, Burrow lowered himself and executed kicks, preparing to make throws during the team’s last practice preceding Sunday’s contest against the New England Patriots.
The scene would have appeared improbable only days before. Upon incurring a turf toe ailment in his left foot on Sept. 14, Burrow received an anticipated recovery time of three months. After receiving clearance to practice Monday, he hoped to return on Thanksgiving Day. However, only nine weeks following the surgery to address the issue, he had a chance of participating this weekend.
In reality, there’s not much at stake. The Bengals have been defeated in seven of their ten games this season, and they possess a higher probability of securing a top-five draft selection (16.1%) compared to reaching the playoffs (2.8%), according to ESPN Analytics.
Nevertheless, Burrow has dedicated the past couple of months to doing all he could to be able to return to the field. ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated Saturday that Burrow will not participate Sunday, but just the fact that he is ready to play indicates the perseverance that has backed Burrow’s journey throughout each major injury he’s faced.
“He is a football participant,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned Friday. “It’s what he desires to do.”
It may appear like an oversimplification, but in a career defined by a Super Bowl appearance and continuing stretches of outstanding performances, he is probably best remembered for his ability to rise above notable injuries.
During his rookie year in 2020, Burrow sustained multiple ligament tears in his left knee, including the ACL, ending his season. A year later, the former top draft selection guided the Bengals to their most successful season in three decades and came within minutes of earning the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.
In 2022, Burrow’s appendix ruptured during the training period. Following his recovery in the hospital after emergency surgery, he was able to return for the season opener. A year later, he played despite a strained calf. That ailment gradually disappeared in 2023 before he experienced torn ligaments in his throwing wrist, an injury that impacted him throughout the beginning of the 2024 season.
However, there is a reason that he and Chad Pennington share the distinction of being the only players to twice be named Comeback Player of the Year. Burrow pursued the rehabilitation process with maximum effort.
And while the squad encountered difficulties in his absence and was defeated in seven of the past eight contests, Burrow transitioned from dealing with his emotions after the injury to directing those feelings into something constructive.
“You try to achieve what you can and simply work by yourself in the weight room and in the training area when working to recover,” Burrow mentioned. “There’s little else you can do. You’re not alongside the team members, you’re not at practice, so recovering from an injury is quite isolating.”
He did have company, though. Bengals tight end Erick All Jr., who is out for the entire season as he recovers from an ACL tear experienced in his rookie campaign, caught passes from Burrow as they progressed in their rehabilitation.
On most days, Burrow was present at the team’s stadium and headquarters in downtown Cincinnati before All arrived at around 6:30 a.m. for his rehab and training. With time, Burrow displayed the essential traits required to constantly engage in the rehabilitation procedure.
“Having assurance and trusting that the surgery and all aspects went effectively,” All stated. “That is basically half the challenge. Once you secure that, you are fine.
“Initially, there will be a mild level of pain with it. But you simply have to continue receiving treatment and taking care of it, and then everything will eventually be fine.”
Burrow isn’t the only player in his position this season facing a toe ailment. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a variation of turf toe during Week 1, reaggravated it three weeks later, and was sidelined for six games. Given that Purdy’s injury didn’t require surgical intervention, it was monitored weekly.
“To play quarterback in the NFL, incidents occur,” Purdy stated. “To be myself and participate like myself, I have to move somewhat, and I just couldn’t get to that point for a period.”
Burrow had a more definite timeframe. ESPN injury analyst Stephania Bell stated that the typical return-to-play timeline for Burrow’s turf toe surgery is roughly 10 to 14 weeks. Upon being cleared for practice, Burrow has met the key prerequisites needed to resume playing. With additional time and adaptation to the requirements of football, Bell stated, the soft tissue repair will keep on getting stronger.
Those familiar with Burrow aren’t taken aback by his readiness to participate. Bengals center Ted Karras, who previously played alongside Tom Brady, identified the characteristics that distinguish exceptional quarterbacks.
“Joe is a comprehensive football enthusiast,” Karras stated. “I would not doubt anything he does. There exists an inherent aspect in great individuals when they overcome any form of hardship. He possesses that.”
