On Off The Bench and The Stone Shields Show today we discuss the Bengals improving to 2-0 but losing star QB Joe Burrow to a toe injury in the process.

Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!

In the electrifying chaos of Week 2's NFL showdown on September 14, 2025, at Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals clawed to a thrilling 31-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking their first 2-0 start under head coach Zac Taylor since 2018. But the triumph was bittersweet, overshadowed by a devastating injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow, the Bengals' franchise cornerstone and reigning Comeback Player of the Year after a stellar 2024 rebound from wrist surgery, dazzled early. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, including a sharp 4-yard slant to Ja'Marr Chase in the first quarter. The offense hummed, with Chase erupting for 14 receptions and 165 yards—his best outing since the prior season. Yet, midway through the second quarter, disaster struck. On a second-down sack by Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead, Burrow's left cleat caught the turf awkwardly, hyperextending his big toe. He crumpled, clutching his ankle initially, before trainers zeroed in on the foot. Helped off the field and into the medical tent, Burrow underwent an immediate MRI, emerging on a one-legged scooter, unable to bear weight.

Diagnosed with turf toe—potentially a severe Grade 3 tear involving ligaments—the injury could sideline him for multiple weeks, or worse, up to three months if surgery is required. Images were rushed to renowned foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, with reports indicating non-surgical options are fading. Burrow was spotted postgame in a walking boot and on crutches, a gut punch for a QB whose career has been plagued by setbacks: a rookie-year ACL rupture in 2020, a 2023 wrist fracture, and nagging knee strains.

Enter backup Jake Browning, the steady veteran who went 4-3 in Burrow's 2023 absence. Thrust into the fray with Cincinnati trailing 17-10 at halftime, Browning shook off early jitters—throwing three interceptions, including two picks forced by Bengals defenders Jordan Battle and Dax Hill on Trevor Lawrence. Yet, he steadied, finishing 21-of-32 for 241 yards and two scores. The game-winner? A masterful 93-yard, 15-play drive capped by Browning's 1-yard sneak with 18 seconds left, aided by a pass-interference call on Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter. Lawrence, meanwhile, torched the secondary for 294 yards and three TDs but faltered with two costly picks, dropping Jacksonville to 1-1.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

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