The biggest story of the early slate of games in Week 2 was without a doubt the injury to Joe Burrow’s foot in the Cincinnati Bengals’ matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. What’s the latest on the superstar, and how long will he be sidelined?
How Long Will Joe Burrow Be Out?
Burrow went down in the backfield while facing off against a solid Jaguars defensive line and grabbed his left foot and ankle. The injury was so bad that he had to be helped back to the locker room. He was later spotted riding a scooter so that he didn’t put any weight on his foot.
The Bengals quarterback didn’t return to the game, and he was officially diagnosed with turf toe. After the game, Burrow was seen in the locker room “with a boot on his left foot and crutches.”
The day after the game, NFL insider Adam Schefter provided an update on Burrow’s injury, which was the worst news the Bengals fans could have hoped for.
Joe Burrow stayed down after a sack with trainers focusing on his ankle. He’s headed to the medical tent. pic.twitter.com/nRwKaiK1wj
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025
“Bengals QB Joe Burrow will need toe surgery that will sideline him a minimum of three months,” he wrote. “The Bengals have been calling around to other free-agent quarterbacks since after Joe Burrow’s injury, knowing they will have to add at least one more to their roster.”
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Burrow will have surgery. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the team placed the star quarterback on injured reserve.
Until the Bengals figure out a way to get a new quarterback, they have to rely on Jake Browning, who threw for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions against the Jaguars.
Given how important the passing game is to the Bengals’ offense, as evidenced by their offseason investments in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati will make sure Burrow is 100% before returning. Browning wasn’t awful in Week 2, but there’s a clear downgrade in talent going from Burrow to him.
How Does Burrow’s Injury Impact Fantasy Outlook?
Burrow has had several bouts of health issues throughout his career, but he was healthy for the entire 2024 season, and it was glorious. Without Burrow, it will be difficult for both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to produce in the same week.
Backup quarterbacks tend to lock onto their primary read. Chase shifts from the best wide receiver in fantasy to more of a mid-WR1. Higgins slides from an every-week WR2 to a middling WR3. Neither tight end is startable without Burrow, so they aren’t a concern.
We could see more checkdowns to Chase Brown, but his touchdown upside takes a hit with Browning under center.
