Joe Burrow toe injury update: Will the Bengals’ QB be able to play against the Vikings in Week 3?
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Burrow suffers toe injury against Jaguars, raising questions about team’s Super Bowl hopes.
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday to get off to a 2-0 start for the first time in seven years, but that was followed by some seriously bad news concerning star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow leaves Jags game after toe injury
Burrow suffered a toe injury on his left foot with a little over eight-and-a-half minutes remaining in the second quarter. After being sacked by Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead, a number of players fell on top of him.
The 28-year-old went down on the turf as he attempted to limp off the field and had to be assisted to the locker room, unable to make it as far as the tunnel. Burrow was initially listed as questionable to return but was soon ruled out.
Burrow out for 3 months with turf toe injury
The Bengals quarterback was spotted wearing a walking boot and using crutches after the game, the first worrying sign of a severe injury. Unfortunately, it just got worse from there. On Monday, it was reported that Burrow will indeed undergo surgery for an injury called “turf toe”, which will leave him out for at least three months.
What is turf toe?
Turf toe is an injury to the big toe joint, usually caused by hyperextension that damages the ligaments and supporting tissue (especially the plantar plate). It got its name from early artificial turf, but it can happen on any surface.
Pain is often described as feeling like a nail driven through the toe when pushing off. Mild cases involve stretching and inflammation, moderate cases include partial ligament tears, and severe cases involve complete tears requiring surgery.
The injury is particularly tough for quarterbacks, since the big toe is essential for pushing off, planting, throwing, and mobility. Special footwear, like rigid shoes or carbon-fiber inserts, is often used to limit movement. Former QB Dan Orlovsky shared his 2007 turf toe experience, calling it one of the most painful injuries he’s ever had. He avoided surgery but needed a walking boot, cleat modifications, and still feels lingering effects today.
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