Joe Burrow's injured toe will cast a major cloud over the Cincinnati Bengals' best start since 2018.
Burrow is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury, which would require surgery and sideline him for at least three months, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Sunday.
Rapoport reported early Monday that Burrow will indeed undergo surgery.
Burrow was injured in the second quarter of the Bengals' 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Backup Jake Browning came on to help Cincy to its first 2-0 start in seven years, throwing for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Alas, in the aftermath of a victory this is a disastrous outcome beyond the scoreboard. Just when Burrow comes back remains to be determined, but a mid-December return is likely the most optimistic, Rapoport noted.
Burrow was seen after the win sporting a walking boot and a crutch, a foreshadowing that he'd miss time due to injury for the third instance in six NFL seasons. He previously missed the final six games of his 2020 rookie season when he tore his ACL, PCL, MCL and meniscus; and the last half-dozen games of the 2023 campaign when he tore a wrist ligament.
This is a new injury obstacle for Burrow to overcome.
In 2023, Browning admirably filled in, going 4-3 as a starter, completing 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards and seven interceptions.
Bolstered by their 2-0 start, the Bengals are in a bit better situation than when Burrow was injured in previous seasons, but it's a massive blow anytime one of the elite QBs in the game will miss time.
Life for Cincy without Burrow will begin in earnest in Week 3 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
