Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to miss at least three months after foot surgery, according to multiple reports. The 28-year-old suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury during the team’s 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Burrow limped to the locker room in the second quarter, left the stadium on crutches, and wore a boot on his left foot. Backup quarterback Jake Browning finished the game but threw three interceptions. The Bengals (2-0) will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday with Browning as their starter. Their schedule then includes Denver in Week 4, followed by games against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers in October. This is the first time Cincinnati has started a season 2-0 since 2018.
If Burrow’s recovery stays on track, he could return to limited practice in early December and be cleared to play either against the Baltimore Ravens on December 14 or the Miami Dolphins on December 21.
The injury happened with 8:36 left in the second quarter as Burrow pointed to his left foot after being trapped in the pocket on a pass play. He sat on the turf for about a minute before receiving treatment in the medical tent. After five minutes, he walked to the locker room with help from medical staff. Before leaving, Burrow had completed 7 of 13 passes for 76 yards, including a first-quarter touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase.
Over his career, Burrow has completed 68.5% of his passes for 19,190 yards and 142 touchdowns in 71 games. He was named AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 after returning from a season-ending injury and leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl. He won the award again last season, even though Cincinnati missed the playoffs.
Browning, 29, replaced Burrow on Sunday and went 21-of-32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 18 seconds left, finishing a 15-play, 92-yard drive. Browning started the final seven games of the 2023 season after Burrow’s wrist injury and re-signed with Cincinnati in the off season. He completed 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions over nine appearances last season.
Brett Rypien, currently on the practice squad, is the Bengals’ third quarterback. ESPN reports the team has begun contacting free-agent quarterbacks, including Desmond Ridder, Mike White, Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Trask, and Nate Sudfeld. Cincinnati may also explore a trade for a veteran, such as the Giants’ Jameis Winston or the Bears’ Case Keenum, or look at other NFL practice squad quarterbacks.
Available practice squad quarterbacks with starting experience include Tyler Huntley, Bailey Zappe, C.J. Beathard, Jeff Driskel, Sam Hartman, and Trevor Siemian.
