Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will undergo surgery for a turf toe injury and is expected to be out for three months, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
The injury occurred during a sack by Arik Armstead in the second quarter of the Bengals’ 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burrow, visibly in pain, was assisted off the field and later seen using crutches and a walking boot after an MRI.
Foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson is managing his treatment, per ESPN. Before exiting, the 2024 NFL Comeback Player of the Year completed 7 of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Backup quarterback Jake Browning stepped in, leading a game-winning drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left, finishing with 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
With Burrow out until at least December, Browning is expected to lead the Bengals’ offense in upcoming games against the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos, with a home game against the Detroit Lions on October 5. Brett Rypien remains on the practice squad as an additional option.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor offered no specific updates on Joe Burrow’s condition post-game, but the team is ready to lean on backup quarterback Jake Browning’s experience.
The fifth-year player, originally an undrafted free agent from Washington, spent his first two NFL seasons on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad before joining Cincinnati. Browning has proven capable in high-pressure situations, having started seven games in 2023 after Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury.
He won three of his first four starts, including a thrilling 14-point overtime comeback against the Vikings, becoming the first Bengals quarterback since Boomer Esiason in 1984 to achieve this feat.
In 2023, Browning led the NFL with a 70.4% completion rate, amassing 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Jake Browning, who signed a two-year contract with the Bengals in April 2024, is set to serve as a dependable backup quarterback in the 2025 season as Joe Burrow recovers from his recent injury.
