The Cincinnati Bengals and their fanbase won't want to hear this.
But what is happening to Joe Burrow right now has at least some similarity to what happened with Andrew Luck in his time with the Indianapolis Colts. And Luck eventually shocked the NFL with an early retirement.
That's not to say Burrow is going to retire anytime soon.
But after a turf toe injury that will sideline him for three months, Burrow is in a tough spot in his career.
MORE: Josh Allen learns that sometimes, it's OK for Superman to be Clark Kent
And how's this for a stat comparison:
- In Luck's first 71 games, he was sacked 157 times.
- Burrow has now played 71 games, and he's been sacked 201 times.
Andrew Luck retired early because he was constantly getting injured behind the Colt’s O-Line.
— 🥔 (@salzmann__) September 15, 2025
In his first 71 games he was sacked 157 times.
Joe Burrow has been sacked 𝟮𝟬𝟭 times in the same amount of games. How much longer can he take that abuse? https://t.co/IB073ON4pB
It's certainly not a great look.
MORE: Tom Brady is at the center of some controversy
Luck, who battled painful injuries himself, has said recently that he essentially fell out of love with the game of football, and that that's why he chose to step away.
There's no indication Burrow is thinking along those lines, but it's a concerning stat even if Burrow comes back in one piece by December.
The Bengals have to keep their franchise QB healthy and upright. It's the only way they can reach the greatest heights available to them.
And maybe they could use some positive injury luck, too.
MORE NFL NEWS:
- Revisit Derrick Henry's absolutely unfathomable high school stats
- Dolphins, Patriots combine for history not done since Deion Sanders and Desmond Howard
- Vikings' last-minute Carson Wentz decision just became very important
- Ravens wanted to draft Shedeur Sanders, but he told them no
- Bears' QB Caleb Williams made a promise to his punter, but he hasn't kept his word
- Mac Jones might change the 49ers' plans for Brock Purdy