Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star quarterback, sustained a troubling toe injury during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burrow had a sprain known as turf toe. It occurred at a particularly painful and important juncture where his large toe connects with the lengthy bone in his foot. After sustaining the injury, he needed help to exit the field and was immediately escorted to the locker room. Burrow’s rehabilitation may prove to take at least several months longer than anticipated. Various estimates have him missing 12 to 14 weeks or longer before he receives medical clearance to return to play.
It could come to a point where the Bengals need to put Burrow on injured reserve. This news would certainly make their already tumultuous season all the more complicated. The Bengals need Burrow now, more than ever. Once he played all 17 games in 2024, he went on to Pro Bowl honors and MVP finalist status. His absence will surely challenge the Bengals. Admittedly, they continue to have to fight tooth and nail just to stay competitive themselves in their own league.
Understanding Turf Toe
Turf toe, an injury that most football players get at least once, is nothing to sneeze at. It happens when the ligaments surrounding the base of the big toe joint become torn. Burrow’s injury from overflexing at the joint. If not, their hips will gradually erode, leading to debilitating pain and eventual instability. As the medical experts noted, if the plantar plate isn’t properly repaired, that joint is still going to be unstable. This instability only sets the stage for additional degenerative changes, like arthritis.
Burrow has fought other injuries in his career, including a season-ending wrist injury in 2023, but this would be his most serious leg injury. He notably played through discomfort last season, utilizing a metal plate in his cleat to limit movement in his toe. This proactive approach, in a hugely competitive sport, kept him on the top of his game for years, even through his ongoing daily struggles.
The timeline for recovery varies from player to player based on many individual factors. Most mild-moderate cases do tend to recover in a few weeks. Burrow’s case would likely require even more advanced rehab. This is attributable to the fact that his surgical repair was highly variable and the history of injurious mechanisms.
Impact on the Bengals
Burrow’s potential absence raises serious questions about the Bengals’ offensive strategy moving forward. And now, just like then, the quarterback is the linchpin of the league’s success. Absent him, they’ll be hard pressed to live up to last year’s stratospheric production highs. If you might remember last season, Burrow was out with a wrist injury. While backup Jake Browning was able to step in and guide Washington to a 4-3 record, the stakes have been raised considerably.
Should Burrow indeed land on injured reserve, Brett Rypien would likely rise to the helm as the team’s No. 3 QB. Rypien’s ability to adapt to the game plan and execute plays will be crucial during Burrow’s recovery period. Supporting their quarterbacks moving forward, the Bengals have to figure out how to build their supporting cast and keep competitive momentum on their side.
Chase, a key player on the team, expressed confidence in their ability to adapt.
“We’ve got to let him be himself at the end of the day. We’ve all got to push him to [be] better, push us to be better and just execute.” – Chase
The Bengals’ coaching staff may need to adjust their game strategies depending on who takes the helm in Burrow’s absence. Unfortunately for the team, they currently are fighting an uphill battle as they are trying to get through their season without their Pro Bowl zealot QB.
Looking Forward
As Burrow starts his journey to recovery, all eyes will be on the star QB from fans and teammates alike. In the interim, the Bengals organization is doing everything possible to make sure he has all the resources he needs as he focuses on rehabilitation. Considering his history of defying the odds, there’s still the belief that Burrow will be back, better than ever.
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