Breaking Down Joe Burrow’s Toe Injury

On September 14th, 2025, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sustained a significant toe injury that will require surgery and months of recovery. The injury, often called turf toe, has sparked conversation not only among football fans but also within the orthopaedic community.

What Is Turf Toe?

Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint, known medically as the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. It occurs when the toe bends upward with too much force, damaging the soft tissues that support the joint.

There are three grades of turf toe:

• Grade 1: Mild sprain with minimal stretching of the ligaments.
• Grade 2: Partial tearing that causes pain, swelling, and limited motion.
• Grade 3: Complete tear of the supporting ligaments, leading to severe pain and instability.

Reports confirm Burrow suffered a Grade 3 injury, which means the ligaments around the joint were torn and the joint itself became unstable.

Why This Matters for Athletes

For athletes, the big toe plays a key role in performance. It provides leverage during push-off, balance during movement, and stability when planting the foot. Even a minor injury to this joint can make running or changing direction extremely painful.

A severe case, like Burrow’s, requires surgery to repair the damage and restore stability. Without proper treatment, athletes risk long-term pain, weakness, or arthritis in the joint.

Treatment and Recovery

Mild turf toe can often be treated with rest, ice, taping, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery is necessary to repair torn ligaments and stabilize the joint.

Following surgery, the typical recovery includes:

1. Immobilization allows tissues to heal.
2. Gradual weight-bearing as the joint stabilizes.
3. Physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, and balance.
4. Protective footwear or orthotics to reduce stress on the joint during return to play.

Recovery timelines vary, but a Grade 3 turf toe usually requires several months before safe return to competition.

Maintaining an Active Lifestyle

While Burrow’s case has drawn national attention, turf toe is not just a professional sports injury. It can happen to anyone during physical activity, especially on hard or artificial surfaces. Awareness and early treatment are crucial to preventing long-term problems.

Joe Burrow’s injury is a reminder of how important the big toe is to mobility and athletic performance. Severe turf toe may sound minor, but in reality, it is a complex injury that demands careful treatment and rehabilitation. At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Center, we are committed to helping patients with all levels of foot and ankle injuries return to the activities they love with confidence.