Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is still on the sidelines with a Grade 3 turf toe injury and could remain out for months, leading to Joe Flacco's arrival
19:15 ET, 16 Oct 2025Updated 19:26 ET, 16 Oct 2025
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 14: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2(Image: Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow is still benched with a severe turf toe injury, sparking concerns he could miss most of the regular season.
Burrow suffered the injury during the second quarter of the Bengals' 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, requiring assistance to leave the field. Initially, Cincinnati brought in backup quarterback Jake Browning before trading for Joe Flacco.
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Flacco was brought in from the Cleveland Browns, leaving rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders vying for the starting position. While the Browns (1-5) are already considered out of playoff contention, the Bengals (2-4) are hopeful that Flacco can keep their momentum going until Burrow's return.
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Burrow underwent surgery on Sept. 19, five days after sustaining the toe injury against Jacksonville.
At that time, it was reported that Burrow would be out for at least three months, indicating his earliest possible return would be for the Week 16 game against the Miami Dolphins.
However, several factors may come into play. If the Bengals fail to make the playoffs, Burrow might be rested until the 2026 NFL season.
There's also no guarantee that Burrow will be fit for the game on Dec. 21. Burrow is one month into a three-month layoff for grade 3 turf toe and has had no setbacks, which means, if everything stays on track, the quarterback should return to the field in mid-December. However, Burrow will only return if the Bengals are in contention to make the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals v Green Bay Packers - NFL 2025
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The Cincinnati Bengals traded for Joe Flacco to fill in for Burrow(Image: Getty)
The Bengals are currently on a four-game losing streak after an initial perfect 2-0 start, but Flacco made a strong debut despite a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. Just days after joining the organization from Cleveland, Flacco threw for two touchdowns and 219 yards.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was full of praise for Flacco, expressing renewed optimism for the season despite a loss to Green Bay. "First of all, probably doesn't know many of the names of the guys on the team," Taylor said about Flacco.
"There's young players that are out there that he probably doesn't know what their skillset is or how they work. So just trusting the information he's got and going out there and making plays and making some adjustments."
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Taylor then continued: "I just can't say enough. It was incredibly impressive to go in there and do what he did on such short notice. He didn't get here on Sunday night or Monday morning. He got here Tuesday after the game plan was in.
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"So he has to drive in that night and practice the next day. Gave us confidence just the way he handled himself and just carried himself through the week and through practice.
"I think he gave everybody a lot of confidence that he was gonna be out there and execute. And he certainly did that for us and gave us a lot of juice there."
The Bengals are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers next, a team Flacco is familiar with from his time with the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. Following that, Cincinnati will take on the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears before a bye in Week 10.