Former Ohio State QB Joe Burrow hit with another major setback for his NFL career that shows the Bengals may have failed him
Joe Burrow is most often recognized for his time at LSU when it comes to his college career, but he actually spent more time with the Ohio State Buckeyes. A former four-star recruit from Athens, Ohio, Burrow signed with Ohio State and spent three seasons in Columbus before transferring. Many Buckeye fans have continued to […]
Joe Burrow is most often recognized for his time at LSU when it comes to his college career, but he actually spent more time with the Ohio State Buckeyes. A former four-star recruit from Athens, Ohio, Burrow signed with Ohio State and spent three seasons in Columbus before transferring. Many Buckeye fans have continued to root for him throughout his professional career. That pro career, however, has taken yet another difficult turn with a new injury.
The Bengals have failed former Buckeye Joe Burrow to this point
Burrow is a prolific passer—one of the purest in the game. If not for injuries, it’s hard to say what he might have accomplished by now. The latest setback is a turf toe injury with a torn ligament in his big toe, which will sideline him for at least the next three months, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The earliest projected return is mid-December, a crushing blow to the Bengals’ season while it’s still in its early stages.
In his sixth NFL season, Burrow has already endured a long list of injuries. As a rookie, he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus. In 2023, his season was cut short after just 10 starts due to a torn wrist ligament. Now, he’s expected to miss at least three months and double-digit games with the toe injury. Six years into his career, the Pro Bowl quarterback has had nearly half of that time derailed by injuries. Cincinnati has run the most pass-heavy attack in the NFL, yet the organization has consistently surrounded Burrow with one of the league’s worst pass-blocking units. The Bengals have never had an offensive line that ranked better than No. 27 in pass protection during his tenure. While they’ve paired him with one of the best wide receiver duos in football—Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins—they have clearly failed to prioritize protecting their franchise quarterback.
Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract in the fall of 2023—a massive investment. Yet, two of the seasons since have been severely impacted by injuries. With just two games played in 2025, he’s already facing another long rehab process. It’s undeniable that things have gone far from the Bengals’ original plan when they drafted him. The best case scenario for the Bengals is that Burrow’s recovery allows him to return to a team that is in the playoff hunt. That is easier said than done in the NFL with a backup quarterback.
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