Bears Face Uncertainty Over Bengals QB Flacco's Status Ahead of Cincinnati Visit
The Chicago Bears are once again left guessing which quarterback they will face this week, with veteran Joe Flacco dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Flacco's absence at practice on Wednesday has cast doubt over whether he will be able to play against the Bengals, and coach Zac Taylor said that the decision could go down to Sunday morning.
Despite Flacco's injury, he is considered a vital part of the Bengals' game plan, having significantly improved their performance since joining the team three weeks ago. In his time with the Bengals, Flacco has thrown seven touchdown passes, no interceptions, and an average of 261.3 yards per game. His presence on the field seems to have made a tangible difference, with the team averaging 12.3 points in losses during his absence.
However, Flacco's injury also raises concerns about his availability for the game against the Bears. If he is unable to play, the Bengals will likely turn to backup Jake Browning and elevated practice-squad quarterback Sean Clifford as their next options.
The uncertainty surrounding Flacco's status has added an extra layer of complexity to the Bears' preparations for the game. Coach Ben Johnson acknowledged that the team will have to adapt to a new opponent, but expressed confidence in their ability to adjust.
Despite the challenge posed by Flacco's absence, the Bengals are now riding high on a four-game winning streak and are looking to continue this momentum against the Bears. With Flacco potentially out of the equation, the game is shaping up to be an intriguing matchup for both teams.
				
			The Chicago Bears are once again left guessing which quarterback they will face this week, with veteran Joe Flacco dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. Flacco's absence at practice on Wednesday has cast doubt over whether he will be able to play against the Bengals, and coach Zac Taylor said that the decision could go down to Sunday morning.
Despite Flacco's injury, he is considered a vital part of the Bengals' game plan, having significantly improved their performance since joining the team three weeks ago. In his time with the Bengals, Flacco has thrown seven touchdown passes, no interceptions, and an average of 261.3 yards per game. His presence on the field seems to have made a tangible difference, with the team averaging 12.3 points in losses during his absence.
However, Flacco's injury also raises concerns about his availability for the game against the Bears. If he is unable to play, the Bengals will likely turn to backup Jake Browning and elevated practice-squad quarterback Sean Clifford as their next options.
The uncertainty surrounding Flacco's status has added an extra layer of complexity to the Bears' preparations for the game. Coach Ben Johnson acknowledged that the team will have to adapt to a new opponent, but expressed confidence in their ability to adjust.
Despite the challenge posed by Flacco's absence, the Bengals are now riding high on a four-game winning streak and are looking to continue this momentum against the Bears. With Flacco potentially out of the equation, the game is shaping up to be an intriguing matchup for both teams.
 ... like it's not bad enough that they can't even keep one QB healthy, now they're gonna have to scramble (literally) who's gonna start against the Bears? Flacco's "significant improvement" is just code for "we've gotten lucky so far"... and now they're putting all their eggs in a basket with Browning or Clifford?
... like it's not bad enough that they can't even keep one QB healthy, now they're gonna have to scramble (literally) who's gonna start against the Bears? Flacco's "significant improvement" is just code for "we've gotten lucky so far"... and now they're putting all their eggs in a basket with Browning or Clifford?  I'm rooting for the Bears, but this just means more stress on Coach Johnson to figure out a game plan... can't say I'm confident about it either
 I'm rooting for the Bears, but this just means more stress on Coach Johnson to figure out a game plan... can't say I'm confident about it either 
 . Joe Flacco's AC joint sprain has got everyone on edge, and it's like they're trying to keep us guessing until Sunday morning
. Joe Flacco's AC joint sprain has got everyone on edge, and it's like they're trying to keep us guessing until Sunday morning  . I mean, I love a good rivalry game as much as the next guy, but come on, can't we just have one week where everything goes smoothly?
. I mean, I love a good rivalry game as much as the next guy, but come on, can't we just have one week where everything goes smoothly? 
 It's like they're playing with a lead belt tied around their waist, waiting for someone to come along and take them down
 It's like they're playing with a lead belt tied around their waist, waiting for someone to come along and take them down  .
. . But hey, at least it's making for an interesting matchup, right?
. But hey, at least it's making for an interesting matchup, right? 
 I mean what's with all these QB changes? First it was Flacco and now this, it's like they're playing a game of musical chairs on the field
 I mean what's with all these QB changes? First it was Flacco and now this, it's like they're playing a game of musical chairs on the field  . Anyway, Bengals are killing it right now 4-game winning streak is impressive! They need to keep that momentum going though, bears are not gonna go down without a fight
. Anyway, Bengals are killing it right now 4-game winning streak is impressive! They need to keep that momentum going though, bears are not gonna go down without a fight 
 , don't wanna see them throw away all that momentum
, don't wanna see them throw away all that momentum  . But honestly, if he's out, Browning & Clifford might just do the trick
. But honestly, if he's out, Browning & Clifford might just do the trick  The Bengals might actually win this one with Browning at QB. Just saying
 The Bengals might actually win this one with Browning at QB. Just saying  It looks like they're trying to shake things up and distract us from their real game plan, but I'm not buying it. This could be a setup for some dirty play or a hidden agenda
 It looks like they're trying to shake things up and distract us from their real game plan, but I'm not buying it. This could be a setup for some dirty play or a hidden agenda  . And let's not forget about that Jake Browning guy - he's not exactly the most experienced QB... this could be an easy win for the Bears if Flacco can't play
. And let's not forget about that Jake Browning guy - he's not exactly the most experienced QB... this could be an easy win for the Bears if Flacco can't play 
 . Either way, I'm here for it! Bring on the excitement and unpredictability
. Either way, I'm here for it! Bring on the excitement and unpredictability 
 . It's fascinating how much of a difference Flacco's presence makes on the field, with the team averaging 12.3 points in losses during his absence - it's almost as if he's an invisible factor influencing game performance
. It's fascinating how much of a difference Flacco's presence makes on the field, with the team averaging 12.3 points in losses during his absence - it's almost as if he's an invisible factor influencing game performance  .
.
 and i'm not sure backup jake browning can replicate that magic
 and i'm not sure backup jake browning can replicate that magic  Joe Flacco's injury is like, totally throwing a wrench into the Bengals' plans and making it super interesting for us Bears fans
 Joe Flacco's injury is like, totally throwing a wrench into the Bengals' plans and making it super interesting for us Bears fans  . I'm loving this extra layer of complexity, btw!
. I'm loving this extra layer of complexity, btw!  . But at the same time, you can't count out Jake Browning and Sean Clifford, they're definitely capable of stepping up
. But at the same time, you can't count out Jake Browning and Sean Clifford, they're definitely capable of stepping up  !
!
 "]
"] ]
]
 "]
"] ๏ธ]
๏ธ] they've been riding high on a 4-game win streak & now this could all come crashing down
 they've been riding high on a 4-game win streak & now this could all come crashing down  what if the bears can capitalize on the uncertainty & get that W?
 what if the bears can capitalize on the uncertainty & get that W?  . And don't even get me started on the Bears' defense - they're supposed to be so good, but against a decent backup or injured starter, can they really stop them?
. And don't even get me started on the Bears' defense - they're supposed to be so good, but against a decent backup or injured starter, can they really stop them? 
