Bengals' Joe Flacco dealing with AC joint sprain in throwing shoulder; QB's status in question for Bears game
Joe Flacco turned back the clock and turned in a 300-yard, three-touchdown "Thursday Night Football" performance during a Week 7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, only nine days after the Cincinnati Bengals acquired the 40-year-old quarterback in a rare cross-division trade with the Cleveland Browns.
Eighteen seasons in, Flacco can adjust on the fly without much practice time, and that's why it's possible he could be out there Sunday against the Chicago Bears despite currently sitting out with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.
"You've seen what he's done," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said of Flacco Wednesday. "Came in and played on a Thursday after three days of practice, so I think if anybody in this league can get by with minimal reps right now, it's him."
Flacco is considered "day-to-day" and, according to Taylor, won't practice Wednesday. Taylor also told reporters Flacco has a 50/50 shot of playing against the Bears. The Bengals are preparing Jake Browning, who started the first three games of Joe Burrow's turf toe absence, in case Flacco isn't available.
The Bengals are 3-5 and trailing the 4-3, first-place Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. They have a bye in Week 10, but Flacco doesn't want to wait until Week 11 to get back on the field.
Taylor was adamant Wednesday the franchise-turned-journeyman quarterback wants to play in Sunday's Week 9 game, even though he's dealing with an injury Taylor described as "painful."
"He wasn't here in the offseason. He wasn't invested in our training camp," Taylor said. "So for him to come in, it would be easy to make a decision that 'there's no way I'm playing. I got an AC joint, we got a bye week next week, let's just let this thing heal up,' and that has not been the communication he's given to me at all.
"Now, ultimately, he may not be able to play. We may make that decision. But for him just to want to put it out there for our 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."
If Flacco can't go, the Bengals will pivot to Browning.
Although Browning filled in for Burrow admirably in 2023, posting a 4-3 record and a 70.4% completion rate in seven starts that year, he struggled mightily in that role this fall.
The former undrafted free agent out of Washington lost all three of his starts and completed 64.1% of his passes while averaging a meager 5.6 yards per pass attempt and throwing more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four) in defeats to the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.
The Bengals were outscored by a combined 113-37 in those games, but Taylor explained Wednesday that that Browning alone wasn't responsible for that nosedive.
"I mean that was wholesale offense we got to play better," Taylor said. "And at times there were tough circumstances.
"The Minnesota game got out of control fast with just turnovers that we've done an excellent job of preventing, in terms of the fumbles and things like that. The next week, we went on the road in a tough environment. I think Denver speaks for itself right now, how they're playing on defense. That's been a tough challenge for everybody. And then Detroit obviously has been a great team as well. They've been getting after everybody, so it was a challenge for any quarterback that's playing those units."
Taylor continued: "Obviously, we didn't hold up to the challenge in any way, shape or form. That was on all of us. We put that behind us, and now our offense is doing a great job these last couple of weeks, and we got to keep doing that. So if it's Jake that steps in, I got full confidence that we'll continue to operate at a high level and be able to score some points."
Flacco's arrival jumpstarted Cincinnati's offensive revival, but, to Taylor's point, the unit collectively is reaching a higher standard.
For instance, the Bengals have rushed for at least 140 yards in back-to-back games after averaging just 56.7 yards per game on the ground in the previous six outings.
Protecting the ball will be key for the Bengals against a Bears team that leads the NFL with 16 takeaways this season.
Flacco hasn't thrown a pick in his two starts for Cincinnati, and he's hoping he makes it a third Sunday against Chicago.
Maxx Crosby Promises a Dominant Return: ‘We’ll Keep Battling Every Single Play’
The Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive line is facing a significant challenge with one of their leaders, Maxx Crosby, battling an injury. Known for his relentless play, Crosby has been a cornerstone of the Raiders’ defense since joining the team. Despite the setback, Crosby remains confident and determined to make a dominant return to the field.
In a recent statement, Crosby made it clear that the injury will not define him or his team. “Injuries are part of the game, but they don’t define who I am. I’ll keep pushing, keep fighting, and I’ll be back stronger than ever. I’m not backing down, and neither is this defense. We’ll keep battling every single play,”
Crosby’s leadership on and off the field has been critical to the Raiders’ defensive unit. His relentless style of play, combined with his ability to disrupt offenses, has made him a key player. The injury is undoubtedly a blow to the defense, but Crosby’s mindset is clear: this is just another challenge to overcome. He is determined to return stronger and continue being a force for the Raiders.
Throughout his career, Crosby has faced adversity and emerged stronger each time. His determination to keep fighting, even in the face of injury, is not just about him — it’s about setting an example for the rest of the team. Crosby’s leadership is invaluable, and it’s evident that his commitment to the team is unwavering.
The Raiders have relied on Crosby’s energy and ability to make game-changing plays. His absence may temporarily shift the dynamic of the defense, but with Crosby’s mindset and his work ethic, his return will undoubtedly reinvigorate the team. His words,
As the Raiders prepare for their upcoming games, they will undoubtedly miss Crosby’s presence on the field. However, his resolve to return stronger, coupled with the defensive depth the Raiders have, will be key in sustaining their competitive edge. The team will need to rally together and maintain their defensive focus, knowing that Crosby will be back to lead them as soon as he is able.
For now, Maxx Crosby’s focus is on recovery, and when he returns, it’s clear that he’ll be ready to make his mark once again. His determination to overcome obstacles and keep fighting is a rallying cry for his teammates, and the Raiders will no doubt look to Crosby’s example as they continue to battle for a playoff spot.
