The Cincinnati Bengals will be without quarterback Joe Burrow for the majority of the 2025 NFL season. Burrow will undergo surgery on his toe, the team announced on Monday. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Burrow could miss at least three months of action due to the injury.
Burrow sustained the injury during the team’s Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After being sacked by Arik Armstead in the second quarter, Burrow remained down on the turf and appeared to be grabbing near his ankle. He was treated on the field and taken to the sideline medical tent.
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Burrow initially started walking toward the team’s locker room on his own, but eventually needed to be helped by two trainers.
The Bengals initially deemed Burrow as questionable to return due to a toe injury. By the end of the third quarter, however, the team ruled him out of the contest. Burrow reportedly underwent an MRI during the third quarter and needed a scooter to get around after imaging. After the contest, he was seen with a walking boot and was carrying a crutch.
Burrow put up his typically strong numbers before the injury. He completed 7-of-13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game.
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With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals turned to backup Jake Browning, who pulled off a last-minute drive and plunged in a score with just 19 seconds left on the clock to give the Bengals the 31-27 win.
With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals will turn things over to Browning as the team’s full-time starter.
“We have a ton of confidence in Jake,” coach Zac Taylor said on Monday.
Browning has been in this position before, starting seven games with the team when Burrow was injured in 2023. Browning performed well during that stint, tossing 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions in nine games. He completed a league-leading 70.4 percent of his passes that season.
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With Burrow back healthy in 2024, Browning appeared in just three games but did not throw any passes.
Brett Rypien is on the team’s practice squad and could serve as Browning’s backup. The Bengals plan to reach out to free-agent quarterbacks and will likely make another addition at the position with Burrow sidelined, per Schefter.
It’s tough to overstate Burrow’s importance to the Bengals. When healthy, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Last season, Burrow led all passers with 4,918 yards and 43 passing touchdowns.
Following Sunday’s win, the Bengals are 2-0 to start the 2025 NFL season.