Burrow Down, Browning Up! In a heartbreaking turn of events for the Cincinnati Bengals and fantasy football managers alike, star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a severe turf toe injury in the second quarter of Week 2’s 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, forcing him to exit the game early and casting a long shadow over the team’s explosive offense. The Joe Burrow Injury Fallout will be felt for the entire season.
Joe Burrow Injury Fallout
Diagnosed with torn ligaments in his left big toe (confirmed after images were sent to renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson), the injury is expected to sideline the former No. 1 overall pick for at least three months, with surgery likely on the horizon that could render it season-ending and jeopardize Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations.
Burrow, who completed just 8 of 14 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown before limping off in a walking boot, has now been plagued by major injuries throughout his career, including a torn ACL in his 2020 rookie season and a season-ending wrist fracture in 2023. With backup Jake Browning stepping in to throw for 241 yards, two scores, and three interceptions en route to the win, the Bengals’ high-powered passing attack (centered around elite weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown) faces an uncertain future, potentially leading to depressed fantasy production, increased volatility, and a scramble for waiver-wire alternatives as managers reassess their rosters in the wake of this devastating blow.
Joe Burrow’s toe injury could completely change the Bengals’ season and your fantasy team if surgery does indeed sideline him for weeks or even months, as mentioned above. Burrow is the engine of this offense, so when he is out, the ripple effect hits everyone.
Ja’Marr Chase, WR
Chase is still the safest play. Few guys in the league are quarterback-proof, and Chase is one of them. Even after Burrow left in Week 2, Chase stayed heavily involved and turned in a productive game. The targets will still be there, but expect a dip in explosive plays and touchdowns. He remains a WR1, just with a little less upside until Burrow returns.
Tee Higgins, WR
Higgins is where it gets tricky. Higgins thrives on Burrow’s timing and ball placement, and those are the first things to go with a backup quarterback. Jake Browning stepped in against Jacksonville and went 21 of 32 for 241 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, finishing with a 69.9 passer rating.
We saw him do it last season, too, when he started seven games and completed over 70 percent of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 98.4 passer rating, leading the Bengals to a 7–6 record. That history matters. If he plays at that level, Higgins can still be a WR3 or flex with boom weeks, but you have to live with the inconsistency.
Chase Brown, RB
Brown could benefit if Cincinnati leans more on the run, but game scripts will matter. If the Bengals are playing from behind, those carries may disappear. If he is going to live up to his lofty draft capital this season, he is going to need to do it on his receiving work.
Noah Fant, TE
Fant becomes an interesting streaming option if Burrow is out. Browning has shown he will use the tight end, and Fant already found the end zone in Week 1. He could be a sneaky red-zone play and a safety valve in PPR leagues. If you are streaming Fant, things have probably gone horribly wrong for you. This isn’t going to make your situation any better.
Jake Browning, QB
As for Browning himself, let’s be real! Browning can keep things afloat, but this isn’t Burrow. Temper your expectations. He can keep the offense moving and keep Ja’Marr Chase fantasy-relevant, but he is still a backup quarterback. Browning is best used as a Superflex or streaming option in deeper leagues, and you should expect ups and downs based on matchup. He is good enough to avoid a total collapse, but not someone to lean on as your weekly QB1.
The Bottom line
Chase is a locked-in WR1. Higgins becomes matchup sensitive and teeters on the WR2/3 border. Brown is volume-dependent, high-end RB2. Fant is a deeper league stash with upside as a high-end TE2, and Browning is an average replacement for Burrow managers in superflex leagues. He is a mid-range QB2 at best.