Joe Burrow to undergo foot surgery, will miss at least 3 months

The Cincinnati Bengals' season has received a devastating blow just two weeks in. Star quarterback Joe Burrow, who led the league in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) in 2024, will undergo surgery for a Grade 3 turf toe injury to his left big toe and is expected to be sidelined for at least three months, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed in a press conference on Monday.

The news, initially reported by NFL insiders such as ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, has sent the Bengals' Super Bowl odds plummeting from 20-1 to 75-1 on ESPN BET, casting doubt on their playoff aspirations. Burrow suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Bengals' 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, after being sacked by defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

The 28-year-old quarterback lay on the turf, clutching his ankle, and was treated in the medical tent before being ruled out for the remainder of the game. A subsequent MRI revealed ligament damage in his toe, classified as a Grade 3 turf toe—the most severe—requiring surgery to avoid long-term complications. Images of the injury were sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, who recommended the surgery. Burrow, seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot and using crutches, now faces his third serious injury in six seasons: an ACL tear in 2020, a wrist ligament injury in 2023, and now this foot injury. "Joe has put in all the effort in his preparation, and this is the worst thing that could happen. But as a team, we have to move forward," Taylor said, defending the offensive line despite the five pressures and two sacks Burrow faced in just 13 dropbacks. The coach emphasized that the injury wasn't solely the fault of the offensive line, but rather a collective failure of all 11 offensive players. Taylor didn't confirm the exact date of the surgery, but indicated it would be determined in the coming days, and that Burrow "will give it his all during rehab," referencing his premature return from a calf injury in 2023 that ultimately prolonged his recovery. With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals will once again turn to Jake Browning as their interim quarterback.

The backup, who already stepped in for Burrow in 2023 after his wrist injury (posting a 70% completion rate and a 4-3 record), entered the game against the Jaguars and completed 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, leading the comeback win in the fourth quarter. "Jake has shown he can handle this before. We trust him to keep us competitive," said Taylor. However, the schedule is brutal: the Bengals face at least seven games against 2024 playoff teams in the next 11 weeks, including matchups against the Steelers, Ravens, and Eagles. An optimistic return for Burrow could be Week 15 against Baltimore or Week 16 in Miami, but experts like Dr. Adam Miller, the Reds' foot and ankle specialist, warn that the timeline is unpredictable due to the severity of the torn ligaments.

This is the fourth consecutive season Burrow has dealt with significant injuries, totaling three seasons lost or limited in his first six years. Despite the 2-0 start—their best since 2018—the absence of the star QB transforms Cincinnati into a middle-of-the-pack team in the AFC North. The energy in the locker room remains "high," according to Taylor, but the reality is that the Bengals, without their offensive leader, lose their main weapon in a fierce division dominated by the Ravens and Steelers. The focus now is on Burrow's rehab and Browning replicating his 2023 magic to keep their playoff hopes alive in December.