Schefter: Bengals QB Joe Burrow needs surgery on toe

Sep 15, 2025

ESPN sources: Bengals QB Joe Burrow will need toe surgery.

Related players: Jake Browning, Brett Rypien

Fantasy Impact:

As we reported yesterday, surgery could require Burrow to miss at least three months of the season, and Schefter is confirming that again this morning. It's obviously a huge blow for fantasy owners of Burrow. Burrow could be back around early-to-mid December based on this timeline. The good news is Browning has shown he can be a decent fantasy QB option, and he threw for 241 yards and two TDs coming in to replace Burrow in Week 2 - but he also threw three interceptions. So, owners of Chase Brown, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins hopefully will only see minimal drops in fantasy value going forward. Browning is worth a pickup off the wire in pretty much any league format, but will especially be a popular target in multi-QB or superflex leagues.

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Rapoport: Burrow could miss three months with turf toe

Ian Rapoport

8 minutes ago

Updating an earlier item on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Ian Rapoport is reporting Burrow could miss at least three months with his turf toe and torn ligaments, if surgery is needed.

Fantasy Impact:

Missing three months would mean Burrow could potentially return in Week 16 against the Dolphins. That probably would also require the Bengals to still be in the playoff hunt by then. The Bengals are 2-0 and Jake Browning has kept the team afloat before. As far as fantasy goes, this is probably worst-case scenario without actually saying season-ending. He could return for the fantasy playoffs, but it’s hard to gauge what those chances actually are, depending on how the Bengals do up until then.

Joe Burrow looking at ‘tricky timeline’, could miss several weeks with turf toe

Jeremy Rauch

40 minutes ago

Bengals QB Joe Burrow is believed to have turf toe with torn ligaments, suffered during Sunday’s win over the Jaguars.

Fantasy Impact:

Burrow had his leg rolled up in the second quarter and was helped to the locker room. He was later ruled questionable and then out with a toe injury. According to Rauch, it could be a “tricky timeline” for Burrow but several weeks is possible. Certainly a costly victory for the Bengals, who are 2-0 for the first time under head coach Zac Taylor. Jake Browning helped lead the comeback win, including the game-winning one-yard score. The Bengals head to Minnesota next week.

Joe Burrow limps, gets assistance to locker room

Adam Schefter

today · 2:36 PM EDT

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was helped to the locker room after having his leg rolled up in the second quarter against the Jaguars.

Fantasy Impact:

The Bengals somehow don’t have a cart, so staff members had to help Burrow to the locker room. No word yet on his status, but at least, for the time being, Jake Browning is in at quarterback. Burrow had 76 yards and a touchdown on 7/13 passing.