CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals jogs off the field after beating the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bengals will be without their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, for a significant amount of the 2025 season.
The Bengals confirmed Burrow was diagnosed with a Grade-3 turf toe injury and torn ligaments requiring surgery. The procedure is expected to sideline the quarterback for at least three months, forcing the team to adjust its playoff aspirations.
Burrow sustained the injury during the second quarter of Sunday’s 31-27 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was sacked by defensive lineman Arik Armstead and appeared to land on his foot awkwardly as he went down.
The quarterback attempted to walk off the field, but was visibly limping. He returned to the sidelines with a boot and left the stadium with crutches.
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Backup quarterback Jake Browning kept the Bengals afloat on Sunday in Burrow’s place. Browning completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, three total touchdowns, and three interceptions, taking advantage of what could have been a game-ending incident.
Sunday was not the first time Browning took over for Burrow due to an injury. In 2023, Browning played the last seven games of the season after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
Browning’s efforts secured a Week 2 win for the team and helped the Bengals overcome a detrimental slow start in previous seasons. After the game, Browning admitted that jumping in on such short notice was not easy.
“Preparing without taking reps is a challenge,” Browning said in the winning team’s locker room. “My most recent game wasn’t too long ago. The way the NFL works is preparing the starting quarterback to be ready, and it’s on the backup to stay ready. If you get to Sunday and you aren’t prepared…”
In short, it is on the backup if they aren’t ready, but Browning showed he was. Although he wasn’t perfect in the game, throwing three interceptions, Browning appears capable of taking on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
The Bengals’ biggest challenge is to stay afloat in the playoff hunt without their star quarterback. The team will face the Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 21, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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