Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was forced out of their game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars with an ankle injury. Burrow went back to the Bengals locker room with team medical personnel. Later on in the second half, Burrow was ruled out for the rest of the Jaguars game.
Now that Burrow is out for the rest of Sunday’s game, the Bengals have to look at who’s on their quarterback depth chart.
What Bengals QBs Are Available Right Now?
Jake Browning came into the game in the second half when Burrow went down. Browning is in his third year as a backup to Burrow.
In 12 NFL games, including seven starts in the 2023 season, Browning is 171-for-243 attempts for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Joe Burrow is headed to the locker room with an apparent ankle or foot injury.
Jake Browning is now in at QB. pic.twitter.com/1asF0hCYWM
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 14, 2025
On the Bengals’ practice squad, Brett Rypien is available should he need to be called up. Between 2020 and 2023, Rypien played for the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. He was on the Minnesota Vikings’ roster last season.
In four years, he was 98-for-168 passing for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Are There Free Agent QB Options?
Cincinnati probably will dip into the free agent market if it needs another quarterback on their team, too. Among the names that might be considered are C.J. Beathard, who played with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
Beathard has played with the San Francisco 49ers and the Jaguars in his career. He’s 340-of-563 passing in his career for 3,886 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
Former New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito might be an option as well. DeVito, who became a fan favorite for the Giants, has thrown eight touchdown passes and three interceptions in his career.
Jeff Driskel is also available on the free agent market. He was on the Washington Commanders’ roster last season. Driskel has played with the Bengals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and Commanders in his career. He has 16 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions in his career.
Any of these quarterbacks would be serviceable if Burrow misses some time. But the Bengals really hope that Burrow’s injury is not that serious. They need him in the starting lineup every single game.