CINCINNATI (AP) — They admittedly aren’t the most comfortable shoes that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has ever worn.

However the new cleats are helping him stay healthy and stay on the field less than three months out from surgery on his left big toe.

Burrow, who had surgery in the middle of September to repair a turf toe injury, has a carbon fiber plate and a custom orthotic in his left shoe.

“The shoe can’t bend,” Burrow said. “It’s because my toe can’t go backward right now, still a little early for that, so just keeps it firm and not bending it back. … These are the (cleats) that I feel like give me enough space and stability to do what I need to do.”

It worked for him last Thursday as he led the Bengals to a 32-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Burrow’s return game.

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