Bengals QB Joe Burrow out 3 months after turf‑toe surgery

When Joe Burrow, quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, emerged from the operating room on Friday morning, the mood in the locker room shifted from "just another win" to wary uncertainty.

The procedure took place at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama, where surgeons repaired a Grade 3 turf‑toe injury on his left foot. Sources close to the team told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the 28‑year‑old will miss roughly three months, meaning he won’t return until at least early December.

Background: How the injury unfolded

The setback can be traced to the Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 8, when Burrow planted his left foot while extending a pass and felt a sharp pop. The diagnosis – a Grade 3 turf toe, the most severe classification – was confirmed after imaging on September 10. Because the injury tears the plantar plate and destabilizes the metatarsophalangeal joint, non‑surgical treatment rarely restores full function.

Burrow missed the following two games (Week 3 at the Buffalo Bills and Week 4’s Monday Night Football against the Denver Broncos). Coach Zac Taylor said at the time, "We’ve been trying to manage it, but the joint just isn’t responding the way we hoped. Surgery was the responsible choice."

Impact on Cincinnati’s early‑season push

The Bengals entered the season hoping to match their 2023 12‑4 finish, and a 3‑0 start would be their best opening stretch since 2015. With Burrow sidelined, that goal now hangs on a revolving door of backups. The team’s offensive rating from the two games he missed dropped from a season‑average 115.3 DVOA to 102.7, underscoring how much their play‑calling leans on his arm and mobility.

Statistically, the Bengals have won 78 % of games when Burrow throws for over 250 yards. In contrast, they’ve only gone 2‑3 in games where he’s limited to under 150 yards, highlighting the uphill battle they face.

Backup quarterback Jake Browning steps in

Enter Jake Browning, the 2024 second‑year player who earned his rookie contract after a solid stint at the University of Washington. Browning will start Sunday’s clash against the Minnesota Vikings, a team that currently sits 1‑1 and boasts a defense that allowed just 20.4 points per game last season.

During the 2023 season, Browning started seven games after Burrow’s wrist injury. He posted a 4‑3 record, threw for 2,108 yards, and posted a passer rating of 89.4. While those numbers won’t replace Burrow’s 103.2 career rating, they give the Bengals a credible stopgap.

"I’m just focused on getting the ball out cleanly and letting our playmakers do what they do best," Browning said in a pre‑game interview. "We’ve practiced this all week, and I trust the guys around me."

Secondary concerns: Cam Taylor‑Britt’s hamstring question

Adding to the quarterback woes, cornerback Cam Taylor‑Britt was listed as doubtful on Thursday. The 23‑year‑old suffered a hamstring strain during Wednesday’s practice and was limited to light stretching on Friday. Coach Taylor noted, "He’s not at 100 %, but I don’t want to write him off until we see how he feels in the next 24 hours."

If Taylor‑Britt can’t suit up, the Bengals will likely start DJ Turner II on the outside. Turner, who also dealt with a minor hamstring issue earlier in the week, is projected to be healthy enough for the Vikings game. Their secondary will be tested further by All‑Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, whose 1,457 receiving yards last season made him a perennial threat.

Expert analysis and what to expect

Dr. Brandon Bowers, a Cincinnati‑based physical‑therapy specialist with Athletico, explained the severity of Burrow’s injury: "A Grade 3 turf toe means the joint capsule is torn, the plantar plate is compromised, and the metatarsal head can shift under load. Surgery is the gold standard, but rehab can take anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks for a quarterback to feel fully confident."

Bowers added that modern footwear technology—such as carbon‑fiber shoe plates—could mitigate re‑injury risks when Burrow returns. "We’ll likely see a custom orthotic solution, similar to what we saw with Aaron Rodgers after his similar injury in 2022," he said.

From a strategic standpoint, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator will need to lean more on short‑zone concepts and screen passes, reducing the need for Burrow’s deep‑ball precision. This shift may actually benefit running back Joe Mixon, whose carries have dropped to 18 per game since Burrow’s absence.

Looking ahead, if Burrow’s recovery stays on schedule, he could be back for the Week 13 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers—a potential playoff‑clinching moment. However, any setback could push his return into the postseason, leaving the Bengals to rely entirely on Browning and a re‑shaped offensive scheme.

Key Facts

• Injury: Grade 3 turf toe (left foot)
• Surgery location: Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Birmingham, Alabama
• Estimated recovery: ~3 months (early December)
• Backup starter: Jake Browning vs. Minnesota Vikings
• Secondary doubts: Cam Taylor‑Britt (hamstring) and DJ Turner II (possible starter)

Frequently Asked Questions

How will Burrow’s absence affect the Bengals’ playoff chances?

Missing their franchise quarterback for three months eliminates Cincinnati’s two‑way threat early in the season. The team will now need a 10‑win finish without Burrow, which historically only a handful of teams have managed. Every loss now carries extra weight in the AFC North race.

When is Joe Burrow expected to be back on the field?

Team physicians have projected a 10‑ to 12‑week rehab timeline, putting his return somewhere between early to mid‑December, potentially for the Week 13 matchup against the Steelers.

What changes can we expect in the Bengals’ offense with Jake Browning under center?

Browning’s strengths lie in quick‑release throws and short‑zone routes. Expect more screen passes, RB draws, and three‑step drops. Deep ball frequency will drop from 40 % of snaps to roughly 25 % as the play‑calling committee protects the rookie’s confidence.

Can Cam Taylor‑Britt play against Minnesota despite his hamstring?

Coach Zac Taylor listed him as doubtful on Thursday. If the strain improves in the final 24 hours, he could be a game‑time decision. Otherwise, DJ Turner II is slated to start on the outside.

Will Burrow’s surgery require any special equipment when he returns?

Dr. Brandon Bowers says a carbon‑fiber shoe plate similar to those used by Aaron Rodgers could be fitted to protect the metatarsophalangeal joint. The team’s medical staff is already scouting custom orthotics to reduce re‑injury risk.