On one hand, the Cincinnati Bengals‘ 2025 season went in the toilet when starting quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a turf toe injury in Week 2. On the other hand, the defense is so putrid that it might not have mattered.
So, the question becomes: What position can Burrow play on defense?
Since the trade for Joe Flacco, the offense has been perfectly fine. In fact, they’ve lit it up more than a few times. As Burrow returns to the practice field, he was asked about Flacco and his performance.
“He’s playing great,” Burrow said. “He’s putting the ball where it needs to go. He’s been accurate with it, getting the ball out. The O-line has been playing great. We’ve been running the ball really well over these last couple of weeks. That’s been exciting to see. And, obviously, our guys on the outside are making plays like they always do.
“He’s fun to be around. He’s quiet sometimes. I think we have that in common. He’ll throw some off-the wall stuff out there every once in a while that I like, that makes me laugh. He’s fun to be around. I’m happy that I’ve been able to have this experience and watch him do his thing and see how he operates.”
Joe Burrow reflects on the toe injury
Burrow went down in Week 2 in a September 14th game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They ended up winning the game to improve to 2-0, but everyone knew his loss was much bigger than a victory over a mid (thanks, teenagers) AFC South team.
“I knew it wasn’t great when it happened,” he said. “I typically have a good feel for those when it’s going to be fine and when it’s not.
“Obviously, I was incredibly sad, disappointed, frustrated, angry — all the above. You let yourself feel sorry for yourself a little bit. It’s easy when a couple of days leading up to surgery and the couple weeks after when you can’t do much. And then it’s time to get back at it.”
Joe Burrow is in a new position with this injury
Usually, when Burrow gets hurt, he makes it count. As in, he’s done for the rest of that season. That’s how you win the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year Award twice (2021, 2024). So, suffering a major injury and still coming back later in the season is new to him.
“I haven’t really been in this spot where I have been injured and still had a chance to play in the same year,” Burrow said. “I’ve been juggling the injury mindset where you kind of take a deep breath, then get back to it. Then juggling that with the idea I could potentially still play this year, and we could still be in it and all of those things.
“There’s been a lot going on in my mind with those things,” he added. “It’s a difficult thing to juggle. Now that we are getting closer and closer, it’s more of a season mindset.”
Sadly for the Bengals, it might not matter if/when Burrow returns. The offense is putting up points, but the defense can’t stop anyone. Unless Burrow can put up 50+ points per game, it’s not likely that his return will matter.
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