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Following a scary injury that saw Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow go down, things have gotten worse.
Read more: Bengals’ Joe Burrow Exits Game After Taking Massive Hit
Burrow was pulled from the game, and it was revealed that he suffered a form of turf toe. Initially, it was thought that Burrow would be out for four to six weeks, but the diagnosis is worse than initially feared.
#Bengals star QB Joe Burrow is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury, one that would require surgery and put him out at least 3 months, per me and @TomPelissero.
Burrow is still evaluating options, but the ones that would keep him on the field are dwindling. pic.twitter.com/UqYZejRoLa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2025
According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Burrow is feared to have suffered Grade 3 turf toe, which will require surgery, and would sideline him for a minimum of three months.
The reports also indicate that Burrow is evaluating options, but surgery is starting to become the only option left to save the rest of his season.
G Fiume/Getty Images
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Following a sack, Burrow went to the ground and began to grab at his ankle. Initially, it looked as though the tackle caused some sort of ankle injury, and he had to be helped off the field.
Burrow would go into the blue medical tent, and in went backup Jake Browning. Shortly after being taken out of the game, Burrow went to the locker room.
Additional reports indicated that Burrow received an immediate MRI, and he was using a one-leg scooter to get around, while not putting any weight on the injured leg.
Reports beyond that were slim, but there was an instant belief that Burrow suffered the sort of injury that would knock him for weeks. Sadly, it appears that he will lose months, per this new diagnosis.
The Bengals pulled off the win, going 2-0 on the season behind the efforts of the team and backup quarterback Browning. When Burrow missed multiple games in 2023, Browning posted a 4-3 record during that time.
Browning will need to step up in a big way, helping guide the Bengals to a positive record while Burrow heals from this extensive turf toe.
Should the three-month timeline return ring true, Burrow would return at the beginning of December, right around the time the Bengals should be in the playoff conversation. Expect the team to sign a new quarterback to also back up Browning.
For more on the Bengals and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
