On Sept. 14, Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe and ligament injury that the team feared was a Grade 3 turf toe that would require surgery and cause Burrow to miss multiple weeks. And on Sept. 15, many sources reported that Burrow will be out for three months. But even though Burrow is sidelined with a grade-three turf toe injury, the Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor isn’t closing the door on him coming back this season. This means the Bengals are still considering every option to get their franchise QB back on the field.
But what if this season repeats what happened with the Bengals QB in 2023? On Nov. 16, 2023, Burrow left in the second quarter of Week 11 against the Ravens with a right wrist injury. And then Burrow missed the remainder of the 2023 NFL season. The team’s medical staff will likely continue monitoring his progress closely before making any big decisions.
Surprisingly, no one really knows when Burrow could return. The Bengals HC Zac Taylor didn’t provide a timeline, and the surgery date hasn’t been set yet. This leaves the team, analysts, and fans in a holding pattern. However, just a few hours after the injury, NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport said the injury might need surgery, which could cut the recovery time by three months.
Rapoport said, “There are rehab options when the injury is less bad. Basically, this was a great one, like let’s say Brock Purdy, right? Then you probably missed two to four, two to five weeks. This is worse. I mean, this is basically the worst kind. From my knowledge, everyone has recommended surgery, but ultimately, it’s up to the player to decide. This is what I’m going to do.”
For the Bengals, this uncertainty makes game planning tricky. The opponents can’t fully predict who they’ll face, and the Bengals have to prepare for life with and without their star QB. Zac Taylor’s approach shows patience and prudence. He isn’t rushing Burrow back, which is key for a long-term recovery. Coaches often face the tough decision of whether to push a QB back early for short-term gain or prioritize health to avoid a setback.
With Burrow’s status uncertain, the Bengals’ offense is in flux, which directly affects fantasy football lineups. Players like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the running backs could see bigger workloads if Burrow is out longer. Fantasy managers face a dilemma: start the backups and risk wasted points, or hold out hope for Burrow’s mid-season return. This uncertainty could make or break lineups over the next few weeks.
And as Zac Taylor doesn’t have a confirmed date yet, fans are speculating Burrow’s return. The surgery time could actually speed up a full recovery, but might also push a return further out, while waiting could risk aggravating the injury. Now, every step the team takes is being weighed carefully to maximize Burrow’s health and effectiveness for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, 29-year-old QB Jake Browning could emerge as Burrow’s backup.
29-year-old Jake Browning Could Emerge as the Starting QB to Replace Joe Burrow
29-year-old Jake Browning, also known as Jacob Christopher Browning, has stepped into the spotlight as the Bengals’ backup to Joe Burrow. Burrow, having played in the NFL for only two full seasons and one game in 2025, has been the clear starter, while Browning has mainly remained on the sidelines. Browning, a former Washington Huskies star, joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 but didn’t see game action until he got a chance with the Bengals in 2023. He’s played 13 NFL games, throwing 14 touchdowns with a solid 69.8% completion rate.
The 2024 season was a rough one for Browning. He has played in three games. But failed to record a single touchdown, backing up Burrow during a year the Bengals narrowly missed the playoffs. Fast forward to 2025, and Browning is starting to make waves. In Week 2 against the Jaguars, he threw for two touchdowns while maintaining a 65.6% completion rate, proving he can step up when Burrow is out. All eyes are now on him as he continues to back up the franchise QB in the absence of Burrow.
