Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to undergo surgery for a turf toe injury, which may cost him at least three months of playtime. The team’s chances of making the playoffs are now uncertain. Analysts Jeff Reinebold and Neil Reynolds suggest that the Bengals might need to replace Burrow with a backup quarterback like Jameis Winston or Kirk Cousins due to their age and experience.
The Bengals’ reliance on Burrow is evident, as they signed him to a large contract after he led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns last season. However, Reinebold points out that the team lacks a reliable backup quarterback, which could be a major issue if Burrow misses significant time.
Browning, who replaced Burrow during his 2023 season, is expected to start for the Bengals next weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. While he showed promise in his limited playing time, analysts are concerned about his experience level compared to more established quarterbacks like Cousins or Winston. The Bengals’ decision on their quarterback situation will be crucial to their playoff ambitions.
As Burrow’s injury sets off a chain reaction of possibilities and concerns for the Bengals, one thing is clear: the team’s season could hang in the balance due to this setback.
Source: https://www.skysports.com/nfl/news/12118/13431774/joe-burrow-kirk-cousins-and-jameis-winston-named-potential-replacements-for-cincinnati-bengals