The Cincinnati Bengals are having a rough go in 2025, largely because quarterback Joe Burrow hasn’t been in the lineup since Week 2.
Burrow, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, suffered a serious toe injury midway through Cincinnati’s second game of the season. Without him, the Bengals have struggled mightily and are hoping for his return sooner rather than later.
Is that possible? Based on Burrow’s injury designation, treatment, and rehab, here’s what has been said about his potential return to the field in 2025.
MORE: How Joe Burrow's toe injury compares to other NFL players
When will Joe Burrow return?
Burrow was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 16 and underwent surgery on his left foot on Sept. 19, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed.
Taylor declined to give a timeline for Burrow’s return, but he is expected to miss at least three months, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That timeline would keep Burrow out until at least Dec. 19.
If cleared, Burrow could return for Week 16 of the Bengals’ season, which is scheduled for Dec. 21.
MORE: How Joe Flacco trade impacts Jake Browning, Bengals QB room
Is Joe Burrow out for the season?
No, Burrow has not been ruled out for the season. Several factors will impact his potential return, one of the biggest being the Bengals’ team success.
Based on the current timeline, Cincinnati will have played 14 games by the time Burrow could be cleared. If the Bengals are eliminated from postseason contention, he may be shut down for the year. Conversely, if the team remains in the playoff hunt, Cincinnati could look to safely bring him back to the field.
What is Joe Burrow's injury?
Burrow sustained a Grade 3 turf toe injury that required surgery.
A Grade 3 turf toe is the most severe form, meaning the soft tissues in the toe are completely torn and the joint may be dislocated. The injury causes severe pain and limited mobility.
Burrow suffered the injury when he was sacked in the second quarter of Cincinnati’s Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Grade 3 turf toe typically occurs when a toe hyperextends, which appears to have happened on that play.
MORE: Explaining meaning, grades, recovery time and more about turf toe in the NFL
Turf toe recovery timeline in NFL
In the NFL, the timeline to recover from turf toe depends on the severity of the injury.
Grade 3 turf toe injuries take two to six months to heal. In Burrow's case, a three-month timeline was given after he underwent surgery to repair the injury.
Bengals schedule 2025
The Bengals are 2-0 in the games Burrow started, but lost four consecutive games following the injury.
Here are the remaining games on Cincinnati's schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| 7 | Oct. 16 | vs. Steelers | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video |
| 8 | Oct. 26 | vs. Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 9 | Nov. 2 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 10 | Nov. 9 | BYE | — | — |
| 11 | Nov. 16 | at Steelers | 1 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 12 | Nov. 23 | vs. Patriots | 1 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 13 | Nov. 27 | at Ravens | 8:20 p.m. | NBC, Fubo, |
| 14 | Dec. 7 | at Bills | 4:25 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
| 15 | Dec. 14 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS, Fubo, Paramount+ |
| 16 | Dec. 21 | at Dolphins | 8:20 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| 17 | TBD | vs. Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Browns | TBD | TBD |