Do Bengals believe Joe Burrow could return before end of 2025 season?

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow needs surgery on his injured toe and is set to miss at least three months of action. 

Such a timeline indicates that Burrow could return to the lineup before the 2025 season comes to an end. While explaining for a piece published Wednesday why the Bengals are rolling with backup Jake Browning as their temporary starter, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN touched upon Burrow's status for later this year. 

Are Cincinnati Bengals hopeful for potential Joe Burrow return?

"There is a feeling that if Browning and the Bengals can hold it down for a few months, maybe they can get Burrow back for a late-season push," Fowler said. "Bengals sources reiterate hope of Burrow being back by mid-December. They know that isn't a slam dunk, but it's possible."

Some have more of a pessimistic outlook regarding Burrow's recovery. Earlier in the week, Armando Salguero of OutKick noted that longtime NFL doctor David Chao believes Burrow won't face a live defense in a meaningful game before next season. 

"This is a six-month recovery or more," Dr. Chao told OutKick about Burrow's setback. 

What are Cincinnati Bengals' expectations for Jake Browning?

Previous stories mentioned that Browning's play when he went 4-3 as a starter during the 2023 season has people associated with the Bengals hopeful that the 29-year-old can keep Cincinnati's playoff hopes alive through at least early December. ESPN's Dan Graziano expanded on the Bengals' mindset for Wednesday's article. 

"They believe they have one of the best, if not the best, backup quarterback situations in the league," Graziano added about the 2-0 Bengals. "...If they can win only one of their next four games -- at Minnesota, at Denver, home versus Detroit, at Green Bay -- they'll come out of their toughest stretch of the season 3-3 and in position to contend for a division title and playoff spot with the strong group they have around Browning. If they can go 2-2 or better, they'll feel fantastic."

Browning completed 21-of-32 pass attempts for 241 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday. His late rushing score helped the Bengals earn a come-from-behind 31-27 victory at Paycor Stadium. 

As of Wednesday morning, ESPN BET had the Browning-led Bengals as 3.5-point road underdogs for this coming Sunday's game at the 1-1 Vikings. Minnesota is on track to start backup quarterback Carson Wentz after starter J.J. McCarthy suffered an ankle injury in Week 2.