Joe Burrow is currently out of this afternoon’s game after getting injured in the first half.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was helped to the locker room after suffering what is being categorized as a toe injury. Burrow was injured 8:36 remaining in the second quarter.
For the day, the sixth-year pro is officially questionable to return. But many fans are concerned about Burrow’s future beyond Sunday.
As brilliant as the former No. 1 overall pick has been throughout his career, he’s also been affected by injuries, and this is the latest medical setback.
Here’s the play where Joe Burrow got injured. The Bengals QB is headed to the locker room #Bengals pic.twitter.com/Wmtjffklukhttps://t.co/z0Bl27h2VD
— John Breech (@johnbreech) September 14, 2025
A concerning history
Burrow has had two of his first five NFL seasons cut short by injuries. He missed the final six games of his rookie campaign in 2020 due to a torn ACL and missed seven games in 2023 due to a wrist ailment.
Considering Burrow has also taken his fair share of hits due to Cincinnati’s mediocre offensive line play over the last few years, it makes sense that people are worried about his durability.
Fans are worried about Burrow’s condition
It’s not just Bengals fans and Burrow fantasy football owners who are anxious about the two-time Comeback Player of the Year.
“Joe Burrow is the modern day Andrew Luck Both franchises failing to surround their franchise QB with competent pass protection,” said podcaster Joel Moran. “The amount of hits Burrow takes is indefensible. Protect your biggest asset. Cincy has failed at that.”
“Just a friendly reminder that Joe Burrow was given the bare minimum possible investment in his iOL. Also a friendly reminder that he relies on iOL protection more than almost any QB in the league,” added the Gridiron Grading account.
“Forget Memphis and Chicago, we gotta send the national guard to Cincinnati to get Joe Burrow outta there,” joked X/Twitter football personality Bunkie Perkins.
“Joe Burrow made of glass,” a fourth person wrote.
“Joe Burrow always hurt,” said a fifth.
What do the Bengals do if Burrow misses time?
Cincinnati can’t concern itself with next week and beyond right now. For the moment, backup Jake Browning is in the game.
Browning replaced Burrow and handled himself well at first, completing 9-of-12 passes for 119 yards, one touchdown and one interception. However, he just threw his second INT of the game moments ago.
When Burrow missed extended time in 2023, Browning performed admirably, completing 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Cincinnati went 4-3 in the seven games Browning started.
Toe injuries can often be a lingering problem, so we’ll see if Burrow’s absence is a long-term deal.
