When will Joe Burrow return? Latest injury updates on Bengals QB
- - When will Joe Burrow return? Latest injury updates on Bengals QB
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY October 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
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For the first time since 2018, the Cincinnati Bengals won their first two games to start the regular season. Wins over AFC North foe Cleveland and Jacksonville put the Bengals in a good spot in September but at a cost.
That win over the Jaguars in the home opener featured a serious injury to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow led the NFL in completions, attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2024. He went down after a sack on second-and-20 in the second quarter against Jacksonville.
Burrow needed help off the field but was able to gingerly walk off instead of needing a cart. It was later revealed Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury on the play and underwent surgery. The team placed him on injured reserve (IR).
Cincinnati lost three in a row after Burrow's injury. The team made a change at quarterback after a loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5 and traded for Joe Flacco from the Browns.
Flacco took over as the starter for Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers and lost to bring the Bengals down to 2-4. He turned it around a week later, though, with a 33-31 win over AFC North leader Pittsburgh.
Flacco could hold things down as Burrow recovers from his turf toe surgery. Here's what we know about Burrow's timetable to return.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
When will Joe Burrow return?
Burrow will likely be out until the final few weeks of the regular season. Barring any setbacks, that surgery will require a minimum of three months to recover.
Burrow's surgery was on Sept. 19. Three months from that date is Dec. 19 – two days before the Bengals' Week 16 game on the road against the Miami Dolphins.
He's been present with the team while recovering and was seen on the sidelines as the Bengals took the lead over Pittsburgh late in Week 7.
McPherson drills it and the Bengals lead with 0:07 left!PITvsCIN on Prime VideoAlso streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MqHsXcr3dC
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025
Source: “AOL Sports”
