Hard blow in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed yesterday that his starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, will undergo surgery on his left toe.

"We're working on the details and timelines. We'll spend the week gathering all the information we can," he said at a press conference.

Taylor did not specify the date of the surgery or the recovery time, although it is estimated that the injury will keep him out for at least three months.

"I don't know what rehabbing a toe looks like," the manager said. "I know Joe is going to give everything he has. He's going to do everything he can to get back on the field."

This is Burrow's third major injury since his debut in 2020, having suffered knee and wrist issues in previous seasons. The blow comes as Cincinnati opened the season with two wins, its best start since 2018, with aspirations of returning to the postseason.

The quarterback left the locker room on crutches and in a boot after hurting himself in the second quarter of the 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was sacked by Arik Armstead at 9:02 a.m. in the first half, the second time he was sacked. He briefly visited the medical tent before heading to the locker room.

What happened to him?

Burrow joins the ranks of players affected by turf toe, a sprain in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, this injury can cause pain, swelling, and limited momentum while running.

Ready for ownership

Jake Browning will replace Burrow.

Against Jacksonville, he completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

He also scored the decisive touchdown on a one-yard jump with 18 seconds left in the game.

"I know it wasn't my best game, but we won, so Sundays are happy. But on Monday, we'll come in and get better," he said.— AP