CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals secured a thrilling 31-27 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking their first 2-0 start under head coach Zac Taylor. However, the atmosphere in the locker room was anything but celebratory. Questions were met with short responses, and the palpable frustration centered around star quarterback Joe Burrow, who was seen navigating the locker room with a boot on his left foot and using a crutch under his right arm.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, Burrow's injury appears to be serious. According to league sources cited by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Burrow has sustained a severe turf toe injury that may require surgery, potentially sidelining him for up to three months. Dr. Jessica Flynn, a seasoned sports medicine physician, indicated that Burrow's movements on the field strongly suggest a turf toe diagnosis. She warned that the worst-case scenario involves surgical intervention.
In a concerning parallel, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is also dealing with a toe injury, which his team has labeled a “turf toe variant.” While Purdy is expected to be out for 3-5 weeks with a grade 2 injury, Burrow’s situation seems significantly worse. Turf toe, as defined by the Cleveland Clinic, occurs when ligaments, tendons, or soft tissues around the big toe joint are stretched or torn, leading to severe pain and mobility issues.
The prospect of surgery is daunting for Burrow and the Bengals, as it could delay his return until December. While less severe cases of turf toe allow players to continue competing—like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who played through the injury during the AFC Championship and Super Bowl—Burrow's ability to push off the affected foot is crucial for his performance. The Bengals are now faced with the reality of needing to adapt quickly.
As the Bengals navigate this challenging time, Jake Browning, who previously stepped in during Burrow's wrist injury last season, becomes the focal point. Browning demonstrated his capability by leading a 12-play, 92-yard drive to clinch the game-winning touchdown against the Jaguars. His past performance—going 4-3 as a starter and completing over 70% of his passes—provides the team with some optimism as they prepare for the upcoming challenges.
“Jake’s been in there and done it with us before,” remarked wide receiver Tee Higgins, who caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Browning. “It was a no-brainer; we had faith in him to step in with no hesitation and no setbacks.” The confidence in Browning resonates throughout the locker room, with center Ted Karras asserting, “When he comes in, he wins ball games.”
Despite their strong start to the season, the Bengals face a challenging schedule ahead without Burrow. Next week, they will visit the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a Monday Night Football matchup against the Denver Broncos. The subsequent games against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers will test the team's resilience, particularly as all five opponents were playoff contenders last season.
“The resilient group found a way,” said Coach Taylor. “It feels like that’s what this year is turning into already.” With a 2-0 record and a current lead in the AFC North, the Bengals hope to maintain their momentum despite the uncertainty surrounding their franchise quarterback.
