When the Cincinnati Bengals opened their 2025 campaign, optimism was sky-high. Joe Burrow appeared healthy, confident, and ready to lead one of the league’s most talented offenses. But within weeks, everything changed.
Now, as fans await word on when their franchise quarterback might return, recent updates suggest a slow but encouraging recovery.
Is Joe Burrow Finally Turning a Corner in His Recovery?
The most promising development came from ESPN1530 host Mike Petraglia, who shared a positive update on X: “Joe Burrow has progressed to no walking boot. Strolls through locker room in normal athletic running shoes.”
Joe Burrow has progressed to no walking boot. Strolls through locker room in normal athletic running shoes.
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 27, 2025
This simple observation was a major sign of progress for Burrow, signaling that he is now moving freely and taking steps toward full mobility after a difficult rehabilitation stretch. To understand the significance of this update, it’s important to revisit what happened earlier in the season. The Bengals’ strong start quickly derailed when Burrow went down with a left foot and ankle injury during Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The quarterback was seen grimacing in pain before being helped off the field. Later, he was spotted using a scooter to keep weight off his leg.
According to PFSN’s Zahid Rashid, the diagnosis revealed a Grade 3 turf toe injury that required immediate surgery. PFSN’s Jason Katz had detailed that a Grade 3 turf toe injury results in complete tears of the soft tissues in the big toe, including the ligaments and the joint capsule. The recovery timeline for such an injury is lengthy, often requiring at least three months before an athlete can safely return to action.
Dr. Norman Waldrop performed Burrow’s surgery at Birmingham’s Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center. Dr. Waldrop’s reputation for treating elite athletes such as Tua Tagovailoa and Derrick Henry gave the Bengals confidence that their quarterback was in capable hands. Still, the team knew recovery would take time and patience.
The Cincinnati Bengals placed Burrow on injured reserve on Sept. 16, ensuring he would miss at least four weeks. However, medical experts projected that a full recovery would likely push his return to mid-December, given the physical demands of the quarterback position.
In Burrow’s absence, Jake Browning has struggled to maintain the Bengals’ offensive rhythm, throwing for 757 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions while ranking last in PFSN’s QB Impact metric. His inconsistency has fueled speculation about potential quarterback reinforcements if Burrow’s return takes longer than expected.
For now, Burrow’s ability to walk without a boot marks a key turning point in his recovery. While a return this season remains uncertain, the latest update offers a glimpse of hope for a Bengals team still clinging to playoff aspirations.
