For the first time since 2018, the Cincinnati Bengals won their first two games to start the regular season. Wins over AFC North foe Cleveland and Jacksonville put the Bengals in a good spot in September but at a cost.

That win over the Jaguars in the home opener featured a serious injury to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

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Burrow led the NFL in completions, attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2024. He went down after a sack on second-and-20 in the second quarter against Jacksonville.

Burrow needed help off the field but was able to gingerly walk off instead of needing a cart. It was later revealed Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury on the play and underwent surgery. The team placed him on injured reserve (IR).

Cincinnati lost three in a row after Burrow’s injury. The team made a change at quarterback after a loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 5 and traded for Joe Flacco from the Browns.

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Flacco took over as the starter for Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers and lost to bring the Bengals down to 2-4. He turned it around a week later, though, with a 33-31 win over AFC North leader Pittsburgh.

Flacco could hold things down as Burrow recovers from his turf toe surgery. Here’s what we know about Burrow’s timetable to return.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

1 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

When will Joe Burrow return?

Burrow will likely be out until the final few weeks of the regular season. Barring any setbacks, that surgery will require a minimum of three months to recover.

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Burrow’s surgery was on Sept. 19. Three months from that date is Dec. 19 – two days before the Bengals’ Week 16 game on the road against the Miami Dolphins.

He’s been present with the team while recovering and was seen on the sidelines as the Bengals took the lead over Pittsburgh late in Week 7.