'Broken-hearted' NFL superstar Joe Burrow breaks his silence after undergoing surgery on his latest injury

Joe Burrow has broken his silence following the turf toe injury which could cost him the rest of the season.  

The Bengals quarterback was injured during his team's Week 2 win over the Jaguars after being sacked by Jacksonville's Arik Armstead.

And as Burrow faces a long spell on the sidelines, he took to Instagram on Friday and delivered a saddening message. 

'This game will break your heart. See you soon,' he captioned a series of photos - two of which were in black and white.

It was only two years ago that Burrow missed the final seven games of the 2023 season due to a wrist injury, and his rookie season in 2020 also ended prematurely after he tore his ACL, PCL, MCL and meniscus.

And his latest injury may prove to be season-ending as well.

Initial reports on Burrow's foot problem claimed that the quarterback would miss around three months after undergoing surgery - setting him up for a potential return late in the regular season.

However, Fox Sports' Jay Glazer mapped out an even more pessimistic timeline last weekend.

Speaking on Fox NFL Sunday ahead of Week 3 kicking off, he said that Burrow was more likely to return for the playoffs if Cincinnati can get there.

'They're saying three months, I don't see three months being an actual timeline,' he said.

'I think more so [he has] a chance if they make the playoffs, but only because it's Joe Burrow. Somebody else I'd say no. But he has that Mamba Mentality, maybe yes. It's such a difficult injury to return from.'

Glazer added that Burrow fully tore a tendon, ligament and a 'capsule' in his foot.  

The NFL playoffs begin on January 10.

Meanwhile, Burrow will be hoping that backup Jake Browning can keep the Bengals offense ticking in his absence.

While Browning filled in for him effectively against the Jaguars, finishing the game with 241 passing yards and two touchdowns (albeit with three interceptions), he had a much tougher outing the following week against the Vikings.

In that contest, Browning threw two more interceptions (one of which was a pick-six) and saw Cincinnati trounced 48-10.

Without Burrow in the lineup once again, the Bengals (2-1) will hope to get back on track against the Broncos on Monday.