CINCINNATI —

Despite starting the season with a 2-0 record, the Cincinnati Bengals are facing an uphill climb if they want to make a return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Joe Burrow is headed for surgery for his turf toe injury, sustained in the first half of Sunday's win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Advertisement

At minimum, Burrow is expected to miss three months. While not outright expected to miss the entire season, he will miss most of it.

Three months from Sunday, when Burrow was injured, is December 14, Week 15 of the NFL season. From now until then, the Bengals will play 11 games without No. 9 under center.

Several marquee games are on the schedule over that time, including a Monday night trip to Denver (Week 4), a

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