What to know about Joe Burrow, turf toe and the Bengals’ path forward

CINCINNATI — Despite a wild 31-27 win featuring a touchdown in the final seconds to pull off the first 2-0 start under Zac Taylor, the Cincinnati Bengals locker room wasn’t exactly a party scene after Sunday’s bout with the Jaguars.

Many answers were short, frustration was evident and all eyes were on Joe Burrow walking across the locker room with a boot on his left foot and a single crutch under his right arm.

Burrow was hurt again, this time with a toe injury, and the Bengals were coming to terms that this doesn’t look like a quick fix.

It won’t be. Multiple media reports have indicated Burrow sustained a Grade 3 turf toe injury that could require surgery, possibly keeping Burrow out for three months.

Dr. Jessica Flynn, a sports medicine physician and analyst with more than 15 years of experience, said the tape clearly showed a turf toe injury by the nature of his movement on the play.

Flynn pointed out that the worst-case scenario would involve it needing surgery. That’s what has the Bengals seeking second opinions on Burrow’s injury to be sure surgery is the correct move, and likely landing Burrow on the shelf until December.

San Francisco’s Brock Purdy also is sidelined with a toe injury. The 49ers referred to it as a “turf toe variant,” but reported timelines have Purdy missing 3-5 weeks. It was a grade 2, but that would be considered a desirable result compared to the alternative the Bengals are now facing.

Turf toe is defined by the Cleveland Clinic as an injury to your big toe joint when ligaments, tendons or soft tissues stretch or tear.

The surgery path is as bad as this injury could possibly get, and have Burrow checking back in December. That’s the piece of news everyone will be waiting to hear.

A player can play through turf toe in less severe cases. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered turf toe in January of 2021 and played the AFC Championship and Super Bowl through the injury. He used a carbon fiber foot plate in his cleat to help play through the pain as Kansas City eventually lost in Super Bowl LV to Tampa Bay.

A player with this type of injury loses most of their ability to push off with the foot, unless it is a mild case, making powering through a non-starter.

How long the Bengals will have to go forward with Jake Browning will come into focus in the coming days. Cincinnati knows it can keep the team churning with Browning because it has seen it before. On Sunday, he led a 12-play, 92-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown in the final minutes.

Browning took over during the final seven games in 2023 when Burrow was lost for the season with a wrist injury. He went 4-3 as a starter and completed over 70 percent of his passes. The Bengals even went on a three-game win streak during that time, which included, ironically enough, a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars and next week’s Cincinnati opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.

“Jake’s been in there and done it with us before,” said Tee Higgins, who caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Browning. “It was a no-brainer; we had faith in him to step in with no hesitation and no setbacks.”

There’s an obvious confidence inside the locker room in Browning’s ability to win games, no matter how long Burrow’s sidelined.

“When he comes in, he wins ball games,” center Ted Karras said. “No fear, no panic, got it done. That’s my guy. I think he’s obviously a starter in this league. We’re blessed to have good depth there. It sucks we have to test it.”

The anxiety around the locker room about how long they’ll have to go without Burrow was hard to miss.

“Emotions are very, very high right now,” said Ja’Marr Chase, who just finished posting 165 yards on 14 receptions.

His receiving partner was feeling them as well.

“It’s tough right now,” Higgins said. “Looking forward to seeing what the results are.”

Those results are what leave the Bengals fearing the worst.

Initially, the thought of surviving the stretch ahead wouldn’t be easy for anyone in this league, much less a team fending without its franchise quarterback. The Bengals visit Minnesota and defensive coordinator Brian Flores next week before a Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos the following week. That’s followed by games against Detroit, Green Bay and Pittsburgh on Thursday Night Football. That’s five straight games against playoff teams last season.

Early indications are Burrow won’t be available for any of those, but the Bengals have banked a 2-0 start to the season and lead the AFC North, helping mitigate the significant challenge.

“The resilient group found away,” Taylor said. “It feels like that’s what this year is turning into already.”

(Photo: Sam Greene / Imagn Images)

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