CINCINNATI (AP) — In a significant update for the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Monday that quarterback Joe Burrow will undergo surgery on his injured left toe. During an afternoon news conference, Taylor stated, “We are working through the details and timelines. We will go through the week and get all the information we can.” However, he did not provide a specific timeline for when the surgery will take place or how long Burrow might be sidelined.
The turf toe injury is anticipated to keep Burrow out for a minimum of three months, raising concerns for the Bengals as they aim for a successful season. “I don’t know what a toe rehab looks like,” Taylor admitted. “I know Joe’s gonna give it everything he’s got. He’s gonna do everything he can to get onto the field.” This injury marks Burrow’s third significant setback in his six seasons since being the top overall pick in the 2020 draft.
This injury is a considerable setback for Cincinnati, who is off to their first 2-0 start since 2018 and has high hopes for postseason success after missing the playoffs in the past two seasons. Burrow left the locker room on crutches and wearing a boot on his left foot after sustaining the injury during the second quarter of the Bengals' 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury occurred when Burrow was sacked by Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead, resulting in a 5-yard loss at the Bengals’ 35-yard line.
After the incident, Burrow went into the sideline medical tent and emerged with a noticeable limp before heading to the locker room. “It’s tough right now. We’re going to be OK. He’s a strong guy,” commented wide receiver Tee Higgins after the game. “We look forward to seeing what the results are.”
Throughout his career, Burrow has faced significant pressure, having been sacked 201 times in six seasons, the second most in the league since 2020. This latest injury has intensified scrutiny on the Bengals’ front office for prioritizing high-value contracts for players like Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase while not adequately addressing the team’s offensive line needs. “I don’t know how a turf toe injury fully happens, if you get hit or stepped on,” Taylor explained. “I know that potentially he could have been clean for 99% of the game, and the one play is where this happens.”
Despite the criticism, Taylor defended the team's style of play, stating, “Our style of play got us to a Super Bowl, two AFC championship games and two division titles, and won a lot of games for us. We’re always evaluating how we can protect our players and put them in the best position possible.”
Burrow's injury comes at a challenging time for the Bengals, who are set to face the Minnesota Vikings next week, marking the beginning of a stretch featuring five consecutive opponents that made the playoffs last year. “We’re 2-0 and we’ve got a lot of good energy right now,” Taylor remarked. “There are plenty of things to clean up. We haven’t put our best foot forward or put together our best football collectively.”
In Burrow's absence, Jake Browning will step in as the starting quarterback. Browning showcased his potential by completing 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, including two touchdowns and three interceptions, during his last performance. He also scored the decisive touchdown with an impressive 1-yard leap in the final moments of the game. “We have a ton of confidence in Jake. He proved that yesterday,” said Taylor. “We’re excited for Jake to go there and play. He’s earned the right to be in the spotlight.”
Browning has previous starting experience, having played in 13 games for Cincinnati, where he achieved a 4-3 record as a starter two seasons ago while Burrow was injured. Additionally, Brett Rypien is likely to be promoted from the practice squad once Burrow is placed on injured reserve. Taylor mentioned that they will also seek to add another quarterback to either the active roster or the practice squad.
Last season, Burrow led the league with an impressive 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes. However, his career has been marred by injuries, including a knee injury during his rookie season in 2020 that caused him to miss six games and a wrist injury in 2023 that sidelined him for the final seven games of the season.
