In a devastating blow to the Cincinnati Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury suffered during Thursday night's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow, who was initially thought to have a sprained wrist, will now undergo surgery, according to an announcement by Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on Friday.

The loss of Burrow is a significant setback for the Bengals, not only because he is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL but also due to the limited options the team has in his potential absence. With Burrow sidelined, the Bengals will need to consider alternative solutions moving forward.

One potential replacement is Kyle Browning, who filled in for Burrow during Thursday's game. Browning, an undrafted quarterback signed by the Bengals in 2019, had limited NFL experience prior to this game, having previously thrown just one pass. Despite the challenging circumstances, Browning completed 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards, including a garbage-time touchdown. He also showcased his mobility by rushing four times for 40 yards, although he did concede three sacks.

Another candidate is AJ McCarron, a familiar face to the Bengals organization. Originally drafted by Cincinnati in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, McCarron served as a backup to Andy Dalton during his tenure with the team. He made several starts towards the end of the 2015 season and even started a playoff game. Since then, McCarron has been a journeyman backup quarterback, having stints with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and most recently, the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL's 2023 season. McCarron has spent the majority of this season on the Bengals' practice squad.

While Burrow's injury has created a void in the Bengals' quarterback room, other notable names in the league remain available. Joe Flacco, currently undergoing a workout with the Cleveland Browns, has attracted attention. Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers, although occupied with broadcasting and high-school coaching, respectively, often get mentioned whenever there is a quarterback opening. Colt McCoy and Chase Daniel, both currently without a team, could be potential options as well.

As the Bengals face the reality of moving forward without their star quarterback, the team will undoubtedly explore all possible avenues to ensure they remain competitive in their upcoming games. The absence of Joe Burrow will undoubtedly be felt, but the Bengals are determined to find a suitable replacement to lead the team through this challenging period.