Joe Burrow ‘could face surgery and three MONTHS out’ as latest injury leaves Cincinnati’s season in tatters
Joe Burrow could miss up to three months for the Cincinnati Bengals if doctors decide he needs surgery for the turf toe injury he suffered in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Images taken immediately after his second-quarter injury were sent to foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If surgery is ultimately required, the quarterback and franchise cornerstone could be on the shelf for three months, Schefter reports.
Jags defensive end Arik Armstead brought Burrow down in the second quarter on Sunday in Cincinnati. The 28-year-old former first-overall pick was helped off the field and into the locker room, but was initially listed as ‘questionable’ to return.
The Bengals ultimately won the game despite three interceptions from Burrow’s backup, Jake Browning, who also tossed a pair of touchdowns on the day. In the end, it was Browning’s 1-yard touchdown run that capped the dramatic win with just 18 seconds remaining.
Afterwards, Burrow was seen using a walking boot and crutches. Bengals coach Zac Taylor did not have any additional information after improving to 2-0 on the young season.
Burrow has now battled season-ending injuries in 2020 (knee) and 2023 (wrist), all while Cincinnati’s front office has taken criticism for the team’s failures in pass protection. The Bengals are 6-8 without Burrow in his career.
Joe Burrow was seen in pain after being sacked by Arik Armstead in the second quarter
He needed help to get to the locker room after suffering a foot injury on Sunday afternoon
He was able to stay healthy for all 17 games last season, though the Bengals missed the playoffs as their defense finished 25th in points and yardage allowed.
Turf toe is a sprain in the ligaments of the big toe’s base joint, known as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Typically the injury results from hyperextending the big toe upwards.
Despite it’s rather benign-sounding name, the injury can seriously impact an athlete’s performance. Legendary NFL cornerback Deion Sanders had turf toe issues in the latter half of his career, as did former Bengals receiver A.J. Green and Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward.
Cincinnati has a difficult stretch of games coming up as they’ll face the Vikings, Broncos, Lions and Packers over the next four weeks.
Burrow wasn’t the only quarterback to get injured on Sunday as Jets quarterback Justin Fields was taken out of the game with a concussion.
Fields struggled badly during his team’s 30-10 loss to Buffalo before being replaced by Tyrod Taylor due to his injury.
