Flacco completed 31 of 47 passes for 470 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while adding one rush for minus-1 yard in the Bengals' 47-42 loss to the Bears on Sunday. He also lost a fumble and threw a two-point conversion pass.
Listed as questionable coming in due to a shoulder injury, Flacco ironically finished the offensive showcase with a career-high passing yardage total that comfortably exceeded his previous best of 389. The veteran quarterback got it done with plenty of efficiency while averaging 10.0 yards per attempt and facilitating 100-yard performances for top wideouts Tee Higgins, who also caught two of Flacco's touchdowns, and Ja'Marr Chase. Flacco appeared to have authored a miraculous comeback with his two final scoring tosses of the day to Noah Fant (23 yards) and Andrei Iosivas (nine yards), but Chicago answered with a 58-yard touchdown by Colston Loveland to escape with the victory. Despite the disappointing outcome Sunday, Flacco has provided a significant spark for Cincinnati's air attack and already has a pair of 300-yard efforts in the four games he's started heading into a Week 11 road matchup against the Steelers on Sunday, Nov. 16 following the Week 10 bye.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Cleared to start Week 9
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Flacco (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Despite managing just one limited practice throughout the week while recovering from an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, Flacco was able to throw the football with enough accuracy and velocity for the Bengals to sign off on him playing through the injury. Since being acquired from the Browns on Oct. 7, Flacco has been a high-volume passer in each of his first three games with Cincinnati, registering 45, 47 and 34 pass attempts in those contests. The Bengals may hope to lean on the Chase Brown and Samaje Perine-led ground attack to establish an early lead that will limit the strain on Flacco's shoulder, but the quarterback isn't expected to face any restrictions if Cincinnati is forced into a more pass-heavy game script.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Expected to start Week 9
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Flacco (shoulder) remains listed as questionable but is expected to start Sunday against the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Flacco has been working through a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, which he sustained during the Bengals' Week 8 loss to the Jets. Though Flacco was contained to just one limited practice this week, the Bengals had optimism that the veteran quarterback would be ready to go for the Week 9 matchup, and he appears to have made enough progress since sitting out Friday's session to put himself on a path to play Sunday. Assuming Flacco is formally cleared ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, his presence should boost the fantasy prospects of all of the Bengals' pass catchers, though there's a chance he's less effective than usual due to the injury.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Sleeper QBs
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Flacco has been great in two starts for the Bengals, and he should stay hot against the Jets in Week 8. He's worth using as a low-end starter in all leagues. In two starts, Flacco has passed for 561 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions, and he scored at least 22.8 Fantasy points in each outing. The Jets have allowed four quarterbacks to score at least 19.7 Fantasy points this season, and Sauce Gardner (concussion) could be out. Flacco could go off in this matchup at home.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Questionable after missing practice
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Flacco (right shoulder) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears after being deemed a non-participant in Friday's practice.
Per Ben Baby of ESPN.com, Flacco, who is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder, said Friday that he felt "pretty good" after throwing ahead of Sunday's contest. When discussing the possibility of Flacco starting versus Chicago, coach Zac Taylor noted, "I thought he did a nice job out there. I saw what we would hope to see for a guy to be able to play on Sunday. Now we'll just work through the next few days to see where it ends up." In the event that Flacco isn't ready to get the nod for Cincinnati's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Jake Browning would be in line to step in for him.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Questionable for Sunday
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Coach Zac Taylor said Friday that Flacco (right shoulder) will be questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Taylor noted that Flacco looked good at Thursday's practice, but he added that the Bengals will "see where it goes" in terms of the veteran QB's ability to start versus Chicago. Fortunately for those considering Flacco in Week 9 fantasy lineups, Cincinnati kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. In the event that Flacco isn't available, the team would turn to Jake Browning, who Flacco supplanted as the team's top signal-caller not long after being acquired in a trade with the Browns on Oct. 7.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Feels good, Week 9 status TBD
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Flacco, who is dealing with a right throwing shoulder issue, noted Friday that he feels "pretty good," Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
According to Baby, Flacco's injury is described as sprained AC joint, but the QB was able to log a limited practice Thursday. Unless he's able to work fully Friday, however, Flacco figures to carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears, but at this stage it appears as though he has a chance to avoid missing a start due to his shoulder concern.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Practices in limited fashion
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Flacco (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Back on the field Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session while managing an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, Flacco appeared to take some meaningful steps forward in the recovery process. After the session, teammate Ja'Marr Chase told Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic that Flacco "looked the same" as if he were healthy, but the Bengals are nonetheless likely to wait and see how the veteran signal-caller fares during Friday's practice before reaching a decision on his status for this Sunday's game versus the Bears. On Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor labeled Flacco as being 50-50 for Sunday, but the 40-year-old's odds of playing may have since improved.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Present at practice Thursday
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Flacco (shoulder) was spotted on the field at practice Thursday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Per Baby, Flacco -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- was seen throwing ahead of the team stretch Thursday, but the extent of his participation won't be known until Cincinnati releases its second Week 9 injury report later in the day. Head coach Zac Taylor previously told Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site Wednesday that Flacco was "50-50" to play in Sunday's game against the Bears while he tends to an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, but the veteran quarterback's outlook could improve if he fares well during Thursday's session.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Week 9 status TBD
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Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder that has his status for Sunday's game against the Bears up in the air, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Flacco came out of the Bengals' 39-38 loss to the Jets in Week 8 dealing with shoulder soreness, with coach Zac Taylor having described the veteran QB on Monday as day-to-day. Added context with regard to Flacco's status will arrive via Wednesday's practice report, but if he ends up sidelined this weekend, Jake Browning would be in line to move back into the starting role.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Dealing with shoulder injury
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Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Flacco is day-to-day due to a shoulder injury, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Flacco appears to have injured his shoulder during Cincinnati's dramatic 39-38 loss to the Jets in Week 8 in which the veteran signal-caller completed 21 of 34 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing twice for 14 yards and another score. Taylor said Flacco is "sore" Monday. In three starts since being traded to the Bengals, Flacco has rejuvenated Cincinnati's offense, throwing multiple touchdowns and compiling over 200 passing yards in all of those contests. His health will need to be closely monitored as the Bengals prepare to host the Bears in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2. If Flacco is limited, or if backup Jake Browning is thrust into the lineup, it will represent a blow to the fantasy value of all of WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and RB Chase Brown.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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In two starts for the Bengals, Flacco has passed for 561 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, and he scored at least 22.8 Fantasy points in each outing. He should be considered a low-end starter in all leagues heading into Week 8 against the Jets, and he's worth adding for 5-10 percent of your remaining FAB. Flacco has 92 pass attempts in two outings, and we should get some big games if that continues since he's throwing to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It's a fun story, and Flacco can be a potential savior for Fantasy managers.
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Bengals' Joe Flacco: Bound for Cincinnati
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The Bengals acquired Flacco and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Browns on Tuesday in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The trade is the first between the instate rivals since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999, but it's a deal that makes sense for both parties. Flacco was recently demoted to the No. 2 role in Cleveland in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel, but the Bengals could view the 40-year-old as an upgrade over the struggling Jake Browning as their interim starting quarterback while Joe Burrow (toe) remains on injured reserve. Though Flacco threw six interceptions and failed to lead the Browns to more than 17 points in any of his four starts this season prior to being benched, he'll give the Bengals a quarterback capable of getting the football to star wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins while keeping Cincinnati more competitive in the short term. Assuming he can get up to speed quickly with head coach Zac Taylor's playbook as he joins the sixth different team of his career, Flacco should be the favorite to draw the start over Browning in Sunday's game against the Packers.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Likely headed to bench
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The Browns are expected to bench Flacco and turn to rookie Dillon Gabriel to serve as their starting quarterback, beginning with Sunday's game against the Vikings in London, Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com reports.
Though head coach Kevin Stefanski evaded questions about a change at quarterback following Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Lions, the Browns appear set to turn the reins of the offense over to Gabriel after getting off to a 1-3 start to the season and failing to score more than 17 points in any game. Flacco ranks last in the NFL in passer rating (60.3), completion percentage (58.1) and yards per attempt (5.1), and the relatively immobile veteran has thrown at least one interception in all four contests while working behind an offensive line that's been missing both its starting tackles. The Browns have yet to provide confirmation that Flacco will be headed to the bench, but expect Stefanski to address the matter when he speaks to the media Wednesday.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Pair of picks in Week 4 loss
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Flacco completed 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions while adding three rushes for minus-1 yard in the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Flacco's ragged stat line tells the tale of a tough afternoon against an aggressive Lions defense that sacked him three times in addition to the three turnovers. The veteran signal-caller did keep Cleveland competitive for a significant part of the contest before Detroit pulled away with 14 fourth-quarter points, but with a 2:6 TD:INT and 58.1 percent completion rate through four games, it may not be long before Flacco is swapped out for one of Cleveland's rookie QBs, Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders. However, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports a switch may not yet be in the works just yet, as head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed after the game he's still not considering a quarterback change.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Modest numbers in Week 3 win
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Flacco completed 21 of 36 passes for 142 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in the Browns' 13-10 win over the Packers on Sunday.
As his final numbers indicate, Flacco didn't play particularly well, finishing with under 200 passing yards for the second straight game while also failing to throw at least one touchdown pass for the first time this season. Flacco did spread the ball around effectively to eight different pass catchers, although David Njoku's 40 receiving yards qualified as a team-high figure. The veteran signal-caller did complete a key eight-yard pass to Njoku on Cleveland's final drive to set up Andre Szmyt's game-winning field goal, and Flacco will continue under center in a challenging Week 4 road matchup against the Lions next Sunday afternoon.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: In line for 25-30 snaps Saturday
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Flacco is slated to start Saturday's preseason finale against the Rams, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Thursday that Flacco and the Browns' healthy starters should see about 25-to-30 plays Saturday. Once Flacco departs the contest, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, in that order, are in line to see action, while Kenny Pickett won't play due to his hamstring issue, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Unlikely to play Saturday
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Flacco, who will take the majority of first-team reps at practice Wednesday, is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't yet officially named a starting quarterback for Week 1, but all indications remain that it will be Flacco who lines up under center against the Bengals in the regular-season opener, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Ashley Bastock of cleveland.com reports that 40-year-old veteran is expected to continue handling first-team reps throughout Cleveland's two joint practices with Philadelphia, while rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel figure to split game reps Saturday. Kenny Pickett (hamstring), meanwhile, remains limited to 7-on-7 drills.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Won't play in preseason opener
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Flacco isn't scheduled to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Panthers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The Browns are holding him out even though Shedeur Sanders was their only other healthy quarterback prior to signing Tyler Huntley on Monday. Huntley spent time with the team last year and has experience operating coach Kevin Stefanski's playbook, but it'll be Sanders getting the start Friday night. While Stefanski said he plans to play some starters, Flacco's absence is the latest sign that the 40-year-old is on track for the Week 1 start. Making it through the season without getting benched or injured will be the more challenging part.
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Browns' Joe Flacco: Splitting first-team snaps
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Flacco was the first QB up for 11-on-11 work Thursday, after Kenny Pickett did the honors Wednesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Jackson notes that Flacco sometimes takes fewer reps than the other quarterbacks because he's so much older and more experienced. It otherwise sounds like Flacco and Pickett are on equal footing in a competition for the Week 1 starting job. Dillon Gabriel has been the third QB through drills ahead of fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, but there's still plenty of time this summer for the latter to make a push up the depth chart.
