Bengals QB Joe Burrow could miss 3 months if toe injury from win over Jaguars requires surgery

The Cincinnati Bengals' flying start to the season has been overshadowed by injury concerns for Joe Burrow, whose toe issue could prove far more serious than initially hoped.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the star quarterback is believed to have sustained a Grade 3 turf toe injury, one that would likely require surgery and keep him out of action for a minimum of three months.

Burrow went down in the second quarter of Sunday’s nail-biting 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. With their franchise QB sidelined, backup Jake Browning stepped in, delivering 241 yards, a pair of touchdown strikes, and three picks to guide Cincinnati to its first 2-0 start since 2018.

What should have been a night of celebration for the Cincinnati Bengals has quickly turned sour, as Joe Burrow's latest setback threatens to derail their early-season momentum. The star quarterback's recovery timeline is still unclear, though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested mid-December may be the best-case scenario.

After Sunday's win, Burrow was spotted leaving in a walking boot and leaning on a crutch, a telling sign that he's facing yet another extended layoff. It marks the third time in six years he's expected to miss significant action, having lost the back half of his rookie year in 2020 to a devastating knee injury and the closing stretch of 2023 with a torn wrist ligament.

This latest toe issue is uncharted territory for Burrow, but Jake Browning has proven capable of stepping up. He went 4-3 as the starter last season, impressively completing over 70% of his passes for 1,936 yards, though his seven interceptions showed some inconsistency.

The Bengals may be better positioned this time around, a 2-0 start gives them some breathing room, yet losing one of the league’s top quarterbacks is always a seismic blow. Cincinnati's life without Burrow resumes in Week 3 with a daunting road trip to face the Minnesota Vikings.

Since being selected first overall in the 2020 draft, Joe Burrow has battled through his share of setbacks. His rookie campaign ended abruptly with a major knee injury, while a torn wrist ligament cut short his 2023 season, costing him a total of 13 games. That same year, he also soldiered on despite a nagging calf issue picked up during training camp.

The Bengals' track record without their franchise signal-caller speaks volumes. In the 14 games he’s missed, Cincinnati sits two games below .500 and manages fewer than 20 points per outing, a stark reminder of just how much Burrow elevates this offense when he’s on the field.