While Joe Burrow has been one of the NFL's best passers since his career began, he also has spent some significant time off the field.
The Cincinnati Bengals star, who has been in the spotlight ever since his 2019 Heisman Trophy and 2020 national championship run at LSU, has struggled with injuries at various points. For the most part, Burrow has shined, even leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance in 2021. But Burrow has also gotten fairly beat-up in the process, including two previous season-ending injuries in the NFL.
Burrow's injury history dates back to a wrist fracture he sustained while still at Ohio State; since entering the NFL, the quarterback has also faced a growing list of setbacks.
Here's a full breakdown of Burrow's injury history, from his time at Ohio State and LSU to the Bengals.
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Joe Burrow injury history
Hand wrist fracture, Aug. 2017, Ohio State
Burrow hurt his throwing hand in 2017, when he was a redshirt sophomore at Ohio State. Burrow suffered a broken bone in his right hand during practice, resulting in an operation to repair the fracture.
He missed the start of the 2017 season, and became the backup to J.T. Barrett upon his return.
Torn rib cartilage, Jan. 2020, LSU
Later on, when Burrow was then a member of the LSU Tigers, he led the squad to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game as a redshirt senior. But in the big game against Clemson, Burrow dealt with torn rib cartilage after being hit by Clemson linebacker James Skalski near the end of the second quarter.
Still, Burrow played through the pain, tossing the rock for 463 yards and five touchdowns, with an additional rushing score, in a dominant victory to claim the title. This injury didn't result in any missed time for Burrow.
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Torn ACL, PCL, MCL & meniscus, Nov. 2020, Bengals
The first long-term injury of Burrow's career came in his rookie NFL season. In Week 11, he went down against Washington after being hit by two defenders; Burrow's knee buckled, and he was diagnosed with an ACL , MCL, PCL and partial meniscus tear.
The slow motion of the Joe Burrow injury. Get well soon man. Ughhh. #benglas #washingtonfootball #NFL pic.twitter.com/5UnACZeGOt
— Sean (@SeanPTF) November 22, 2020
Burrow underwent surgery in December 2020, completing rehab by the verge of the 2021 season.
Joe Burrow is up and walking after tearing his ACL and MCL a month ago 👏
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 25, 2020
(via @JoeyB)pic.twitter.com/AzrBzqGGOF
He returned for Cincinnati's 2021 season-opener, and then won the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year award after a 34-touchdown regular season with the Bengals going 10-6.
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Dislocated finger, Dec. 2021, Bengals
After a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in December 2021, Burrow told reporters that he dislocated his pinkie finger during a sack.
However, that ailment didn't result in any missed time for Burrow, as he went on to throw for 348 yards in the following game.
MCL sprain, Feb. 2022, Bengals
In the playoffs following the 2021 NFL season, Burrow was playing some of his best football, leading the Bengals on a run to the Super Bowl. But in the big game against the Los Angeles Rams, Burrow was sacked by edge rusher Von Miller and immediately began clutching his knee in the fourth quarter.
He did finish the game, but it was a 23-20 loss for Cincinnati. In Week 17 of the regular season a few weeks prior, Burrow had strained his knee; the Super Bowl injury was a grade 2 sprained MCL, but Burrow recovered in the offseason and didn't miss time in for it in 2022.
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Calf strain, July 2023, Bengals
One of Burrow's more minor ailments was in July 2023, when he sustained a calf strain in his right leg during practice. He did not miss any time with the injury.
While there was initial concern for Burrow, it wound up being a less-severe ailment.
Here is the cart coming out for Joe Burrow.
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) July 27, 2023
Massive news pic.twitter.com/zbHB6cJbhb
Here's our video of Joe Burrow injuring his right calf and being carted off at camp today. #Bengals @fox19
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) July 27, 2023
Zac Taylor is calling it a calf strain. pic.twitter.com/1iGFwgtRL7
Torn wrist ligament, Nov. 2023, Bengals
In the 2023 season, Burrow suffered a torn wrist ligament in his throwing hand in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow said he felt a “pop” after throwing a touchdown pass in the game. He then missed the remainder of the 2023 season.
A glimpse of what Joe Burrow is dealing with on what the team now says is a right wrist injury: pic.twitter.com/nOW3qR0RhR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 17, 2023
Joe Burrow left to the locker room after struggling to grip and throw the ball with a right wrist injury
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 17, 2023
(via @NFLonPrime)pic.twitter.com/15GKrpLFl1
Burrow came back in a big way from the wrist injury in 2024, throwing for 43 touchdown passes to win his second Comeback Player of the Year award.
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Turf toe, Sept. 2025, Bengals
In a Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2025 season, Burrow exited with what the team called a toe injury. The apparent injury came when he was sacked on second down midway through the second quarter, and Burrow remained on the ground for a few moments before going to the locker room.
Burrow reportedly got an immediate MRI and was using a scooter with his left leg propped up while in the locker room. Jake Browning entered the game in his absence.
Joe Burrow stayed down after a sack with trainers focusing on his ankle. He's headed to the medical tent. pic.twitter.com/nRwKaiK1wj
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 14, 2025
Burrow was later diagnosed with turf toe, per Ian Rapoport.