The Cincinnati Bengals may be without quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 9, as the veteran is recovering from an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. Flacco sustained the injury during Sunday’s 39-38 loss to the New York Jets but finished the game.
His status for this week’s matchup against the Chicago Bears is whether he will be healthy enough to play or if Jake Browning will have to replace him.
What Did Zac Taylor Say About Joe Flacco’s Availability?
Coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Wednesday that Joe Flacco is dealing with a “painful” shoulder injury and will not participate early in the week.
“We’ll see what we can potentially get out of him [on Thursday],” Taylor said. “We’ll just work through the week. I think right now it’s 50-50 on what it will end up on Sunday.”
According to podcaster Charlie Goldsmith on Wednesday, Taylor also said about Flacco: “He wants to play in the game, so kudos to him. He’s been here three weeks; he wants to play. I hate speaking for him, but that’s what he’s told me. He’ll have to work through the week to see if he’s able to do that. It’s a throwing shoulder. It’s painful. Golly, a guy who wants to do that, wants to get out there and play with something like that, credit to him. We’ll go through the week and see where it ends up and have Jake ready to go, too, and see how it plays out.”
“Ultimately he may not be able to play. For him just to want to put it out there for a team, himself, like he said before he’s just a football player, that’s what he does, that certainly goes a long way with me.”
Zac Taylor on Joe Flacco: “He wants to play in the game, so kudos to him. He’s been here three weeks; he wants to play. I hate speaking for him, but that’s what he’s told me. He’ll have to work through the week to see if he’s able to do that. It’s a throwing shoulder. It’s…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) October 29, 2025
Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Oct. 7. In his three starts since then, he has accounted for eight (seven passing, one rushing) total touchdowns and zero turnovers, including his performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers when he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-31 win. His PFSN Impact Score is 63.3 with a D grade. He ranks 31st among all quarterbacks.
His chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase has been immediate. The wide receiver has recorded 38 receptions for 346 yards and two touchdowns in Flacco’s three starts.
If Flacco is unavailable, Jake Browning would get the start. Browning began the season as Joe Burrow’s backup and played in four games earlier in the year before Flacco’s acquisition. He threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns in his final start against the Detroit Lions, but also tossed eight interceptions in four appearances. The Bengals are 3-5 into the season.
