Until Joe Burrow completes surgery for a turf toe injury on his left foot, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor intends to hold the door wide open for the quarterback to return.
Reports placed a three-month timeline on Burrow’s return from the Sept. 14 injury. Until surgery is performed, the Bengals only know Burrow will not play the next four games as required by NFL rules for players assigned to injured reserve.
“At least the next four weeks,” Taylor said of Burrow’s known absence. “That’s the best I can give you.”
Taylor said the Bengals “don’t have it yet” when asked if Burrow’s surgery has been scheduled.
Cincinnati (2-0) resumes its schedule without the franchise quarterback at Minnesota (1-1) on Sunday with Jake Browning running the offense. He threw three interceptions but delivered a game-winning drive to defeat the Jaguars, 31-27.
Burrow was officially placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, when Browning shifted into game-plan install mode.
“The physical toll is obviously a lot different. I’ll still voice my opinion (on the game plan) as the 2, but ultimately and rightfully so it’s going to be what Joe wants,” Browning said of what changed this week. “We’ve got a lot of guys who’ve been in this system for a long time. I feel fortunate to be taking over an offense with a lot of weapons.”
