CINCINNATI, Ohio — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was back on the field on Thanksgiving after missing the previous nine games with turf toe. To be able to play, he has a special shoe on his left foot to protect his surgically repaired toe.

When directly asked at his Wednesday press conference about what’s in his shoe helping with his toe injury, Burrow told reporters without hesitation: “Carbon fiber plate and custom orthotic.” This matter-of-fact confirmation ended speculation about metal plates or other potential solutions that had been rumored.

But how exactly does this shoe work? Burrow broke it down in simple mechanical terms.

“Well, the shoe can’t bend because my toe can’t go backwards right now. Still a little early for that. So just keeps it firm and not bending it back.” he exp

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