Joe Burrow is on injured reserve with a turf toe injury that will require surgery, with a return window likely around three months though the exact date remains undecided. The Bengals will turn to Jake Browning as starter for the near term, starting at Minnesota on Sept. 21, while the team navigates the rehab timeline. Zac Taylor noted surgery looks likely, and the roster will absorb Burrow’s absence with a strategic shift and future planning for Burrow’s rehab.

The Vikings face a prolonged absence for J.J. McCarthy after a high ankle sprain that could sideline him for 2-4 weeks. Carson Wentz steps in as the starter, with Minnesota weighing a Europe-tilted schedule that could push McCarthy’s return to Week 7 against Philadelphia. The team also navigates a Week 3 tilt with Cincinnati while balancing travel-heavy Weeks 4 (Dublin) and 5 (London). Minnesota aims to protect McCarthy during the recovery to prevent reaggravation, following a 2024 preseason meniscus injury.

With the plan to keep the rookie QB closer to peak health, the Vikings’ offense is likely to lean on Wentz’s veteran distribution and a restructured week-to-week game plan. The unusual overseas footprint adds a layer of urgency for a quick, clean rehab, as the bye in Week 6 offers a clean reset before the late-season stretch. Fantasy managers should monitor Wentz’s early targeting and any changes in the pass-game rhythm as McCarthy’s timeline remains fluid.

Injury timing and the cross-continental schedule create an opportunity window for Minnesota to optimize the offense around Wentz while preserving McCarthy for a potential Week 7 return. The decision underscores the prioritization of long-term health over immediate spark, a stance that could shift early-season fantasy outcomes and betting angles as details evolve.