Will Joe Flacco Play This Sunday for Bengals vs. Bears? 🏈 Latest Injury Update

Joe Flacco Injury Update Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco sustained a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder during the fourth quarter of the team's 39-38 Week 8 loss to the New York Jets on October 26, 2025. The 40-year-old veteran, acquired via trade from the Cleveland Browns on October 7, appeared to injure the shoulder after a sack by Jets edge rusher Will McDonald. He briefly exited to the locker room for evaluation but returned for the Bengals' final offensive drive, completing every snap without missing plays. Post-game, Flacco admitted he "wasn't feeling 100%," while head coach Zac Taylor initially labeled him day-to-day with shoulder soreness on October 27. On October 29, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the specific AC joint sprain diagnosis, confirmed by Taylor, who called Flacco's availability for Sunday's Week 9 home game against the Chicago Bears "probably 50-50." The coach noted the pain in Flacco's throwing arm but praised his determination: "He wants to play... It's impressive." Flacco sat out Wednesday's practice, listed on the injury report alongside DE Trey Hendrickson (hip). In three starts since joining Cincinnati—filling in for injured starter Joe Burrow (turf toe)—Flacco has gone 64.3% completions for 784 yards, eight total touchdowns, and zero interceptions, energizing an offense featuring Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If unable to go, backup Jake Browning—who started three games earlier this season—would step in.