When Will Joe Burrow Return After Grade 3 Turf Toe Diagnosis?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined after suffering a serious injury in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.

The injury occurred during a heated game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Burrow was thrown into an awkward position by an opponent.

Medical diagnosis confirmed that Joe Burrow suffered a severe grade 3 "turf toe" injury, a complete tear of the ligaments under his big toe.

With this injury, Burrow is expected to be out for at least three months. 

This devastating news is a significant blow to the Bengals, who have struggled early in the season.

How long will Burrow's injury keep him out? Here's what you need to know about the Bengals quarterback's toe issue and when he might return to action.

Joe Burrow's injury is known as a grade 3 turf toe, a serious condition that indicates a complete tear of the ligament in the big toe area.

A tackle from behind that caused Burrow to fall unnaturally was the primary trigger for this injury.

Torn ligaments require surgical intervention to ensure optimal recovery and prevent long-term complications.

The surgery aims to reattach the severed ligament, allowing the healing process to begin.

Following surgery, Burrow will be required to refrain from traveling for the first two weeks, a crucial phase in early recovery.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor revealed that Burrow will require surgery to repair the injury. The 42-year-old declined to provide further information on when—or if—the quarterback would be able to return to action.

#Bengals QB Joe Burrow underwent surgery on Friday. The three-month return that’s been mentioned is viewed as a very optimistic timeline — and that’s if he really pushes it, per @JayGlazer. A postseason return, if Cincy makes the playoffs, is more realistic than a regular-season… pic.twitter.com/Tgm6UlaLdV

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 21, 2025

According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Joe Burrow is expected to miss "at least three months" of competition.

This puts the earliest estimated return date around December 19th, coinciding with Week 16 of the NFL season.

However, some experts, including FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, argue that the three-month estimate may be too optimistic.

Glazer highlighted the complexity of a Grade 3 "turf toe" injury, which requires a longer and more careful recovery.

Burrow's potential return also depends on whether the Bengals can stay in the AFC playoff race despite his absence.

Head coach Zac Taylor has confirmed Burrow underwent surgery but has refrained from providing a specific return date.

If playoff hopes fade, the team may choose to rest Burrow longer for the sake of his long-term health.

Joe Burrow's absence automatically places Jake Browning as the Cincinnati Bengals' starting quarterback.

Browning had a 4-4 record as a starter before the season, but the challenge of leading the team without Burrow is immense.

The loss of a key quarterback, the driving force of the team's offense, clearly puts significant pressure on the entire squad.

The immediate impact of Burrow's absence was already evident in Week 3, when the Bengals suffered a crushing 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Medical experts also issued a serious warning regarding severe "turf toe" injuries.