Former LSU Tiger Joe Burrow went down with a lower body injury in Week 2 as the Cincinnati Bengals took on the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury occured early in the second quarter when Burrow was evading some pressure in the pocket. He shuffled around several times before ultimately getting sacked by Jacksonville's Arik Armstead. Burrow stayed on the ground for several moments and received attention from medical personnel.
After needing assistance walking off the field and to the locker room, Burrow was initially listed as questionable to return to the game with a toe injury. He was later downgraded to OUT and never returned to the action. He was seen in a walking boot and on crutches after the game. A further updated has been provided, and it's not great.
Joe Burrow injury update: Surgery is possible
The fear is that Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury. He is still undergoing testing, but it appears that surgery may be required. After undergoing further evaluation from a specialist, a more clear direction is expected to be announced on Monday. If surgery is in fact needed, Burrow could be out as long as three months.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury that will require surgery and sideline him at least three months. (via @Rapsheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/lxVnTj235H
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2025
Before the injury, Burrow completed seven of his 13 pass attempts for 76 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions against the Jaguars. Jake Browning replaced Burrow at quarterback, going 21-for-32 for 241 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Despite Browning's up-and-down play, the Bengals prevailed 31-27 to move to 2-0 on the season.
Unfortunately, Burrow has dealt with a plethora of injuries in his NFL career. In Week 11 of his rookie season in 2020, he tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee, along with suffering other damage to his PCL and meniscus. In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Burrow suffered a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist. Surgery was needed, which ended his 2023 campaign. The former LSU gunslinger battled back after each significant injury, and was named AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 and 2024.
He put together a sensational 2024 campaign last season, as he completed 70.6 percent of his passes for a league-leading 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. According to NFL Research, Burrow's 2024 performance made him the third QB in NFL history to have at least 4,500 passing yards, 40 passing TDs, and less than 10 INTs, joining Tom Brady (2007) and Aaron Rodgers (2011). Needless to say, his absence will be felt in Cincinnati's offense.