The Cincinnati Bengals have been dealt a huge blow to their hopes of success this season with ESPN reporting on Monday that Joe Burrow will miss at least three months due to a toe injury that will require surgery.
The quarterback was injured during Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars when he was sacked by Arik Armstead. Burrow was replaced by Jake Browning, who led the Bengals to a late victory, but the importance of the win pales into comparison with news of the surgery.
Burrow suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and limped off the field, and was initially listed as questionable to return. He was not available to reporters after the game and left the locker room on crutches, with his left foot in a protective boot. Reports on Sunday said he had strained toe ligaments.
Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and is part of a fearsome tandem with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. But he has struggled to stay fit since being drafted No 1 overall by the Bengals in 2020, with some critics saying the Bengals have not done enough to build an offensive line that provides him with the necessary protection.
Although Burrow, who will turn 29 in December, led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, he has suffered season-ending injuries in 2020 and 2023. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) last season, although the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second season in a row. The Bengals are 2-0 to start this season, the first time they’ve won both their opening games since 2018.
