Will Joe Flacco play for the Bengals against the Bears on Sunday? Cincinnati’s QB injury status
The Cincinnati Bengals are in danger of having to play their Sunday matchup against the Chicago Bears without quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ turbulent 2025 season continues as they prepare to host the Chicago Bears in Week 9, a matchup that could determine whether their playoff hopes remain alive. Following a collapse against the Jets, where they blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, they’ve received more bad news as quarterback Joe Flacco is questionable to start.
Bengals QB Joe Flacco questionable ahead of Sunday vs Bears
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco is uncertain to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears after suffering a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder during last week’s 39–38 loss to the Jets. Head coach Zac Taylor said Flacco won’t practice Wednesday and described his Week 9 status as “50-50.”
If Flacco can’t play, Jake Browning would start. Browning previously struggled in three starts earlier this season when Joe Burrow was sidelined with a turf toe injury, which led Cincinnati (3–5) to trade for Flacco.
Despite his age (40), Flacco has played efficiently since joining the Bengals, completing 64.3% of his passes for 784 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions in three games. Taylor said the veteran’s experience gives him confidence Flacco could play even with limited practice time. The offense has shown progress in the run game, averaging 161.5 rushing yards over the last two games after a sluggish start to the season.
Their defense, however, has been disastrous, ranking last in points (31.6) and yards allowed (407.9) per game, and leading the league in missed tackles (81). The unit’s failure overshadowed a strong offensive effort that scored 38 points last week.
Despite their struggles, Cincinnati remains just two games behind AFC North–leading Pittsburgh and could use a win against Chicago to reset before their bye week.
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