Bengals’ Joe Flacco dealing with sprain in throwing shoulder, status for Sunday uncertain: Source
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder, making his availability for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears uncertain, a team source confirmed Wednesday.
Flacco appeared to injure his shoulder in Cincinnati’s Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. Late in the fourth quarter, after taking a sack on the previous series, Flacco was seen heading to the locker room. He returned and did not miss a snap. After the game, he said that despite not being 100 percent, he felt “good right now.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that they will monitor Flacco throughout the week before making a decision.
“It’s his throwing shoulder. It’s painful. But a guy who wants to do that, wants to get out there and play with something like that, kudos to him. We’ll go through the week and see where he is at and have Jake ready to go, too.”
Taylor added that Flacco’s desire to play despite the injury has been impressive, saying it would have been easy for the quarterback to simply ask for some time off before returning.
“Ultimately, he might 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, says he’s a football player; that’s what he does. It certainly goes a long way with me.”
The Bengals acquired Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns earlier this season. The 40-year-old quarterback has appeared in three games for Cincinnati, completing 81 passes for 784 yards with seven touchdowns.
If Flacco is unable to start, current backup Jake Browning will start under center. Browning started three games after Joe Burrow was injured in Week 2.
What are the odds Flacco plays?
Taylor called it “50-50” during his Wednesday news conference. The shoulder sprain will limit what he can do during the week, and there’s no telling how fast it will heal as the week unfolds. The Bengals are calling him day to day and getting him and Browning ready during the week, though Flacco did not practice Wednesday. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said he’s “optimistic” and that Flacco is “doing everything in his power” to be ready to go against the Bears, meaning there’s absolutely a chance Flacco will end up playing. Additionally, it’s not like minimal preparation has proven problematic around here. — Paul Dehner Jr., Bengals staff writer
What happens if Browning goes?
To call this a significant development would be an understatement based on the stark difference in production between Browning and Flacco. Burrow and Flacco have yet to commit a turnover this season, whereas Browning has thrown eight picks in four games. Browning appeared to lose confidence in what he was seeing from play to play, missing obvious reads and easy throws and often holding on to the ball too long. Flacco arrived and did the opposite. His ability to spit the ball out fast dramatically helped the offensive line, run game and overall efficiency. Browning has always been a confident player, but it’s fair to wonder how confident he would be if thrust back into a starting role after the team traded for Flacco and saw the immediate success enjoyed by the 40-year-old. — Dehner
