Flacco Steps Up Practice, Bears Expect a Tough Match Against the Bengals. 
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco has taken a significant step forward in his recovery from a shoulder sprain. After sitting out Wednesday's practice and being listed as a limited participant on Thursday, he was upgraded to full participation for the day. According to receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Flacco looked "back to normal" during Thursday's session.
Flacco will face off against the Bengals on Sunday in what is expected to be a tough matchup. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen acknowledged that veteran quarterbacks like Flacco can be difficult to prepare for, saying, "There's not a lot of things you can get away with." Allen also highlighted new cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who brings a competitive edge and will play at slot cornerback.
Gardner-Johnson, who was signed by the Bears on Wednesday, has been coaching experience under Allen in New Orleans. He is described as a highly competitive player who competes on every single play. The Bears began to "force-feed" him snaps at slot cornerback during practice, with him missing no downs.
The Bears have had some defensive struggles over the last four seasons, ranking 25th this season with just 14 touchdowns allowed in 67 games. They will look to improve their performance against Flacco and the Bengals on Sunday.
				
			Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco has taken a significant step forward in his recovery from a shoulder sprain. After sitting out Wednesday's practice and being listed as a limited participant on Thursday, he was upgraded to full participation for the day. According to receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Flacco looked "back to normal" during Thursday's session.
Flacco will face off against the Bengals on Sunday in what is expected to be a tough matchup. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen acknowledged that veteran quarterbacks like Flacco can be difficult to prepare for, saying, "There's not a lot of things you can get away with." Allen also highlighted new cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who brings a competitive edge and will play at slot cornerback.
Gardner-Johnson, who was signed by the Bears on Wednesday, has been coaching experience under Allen in New Orleans. He is described as a highly competitive player who competes on every single play. The Bears began to "force-feed" him snaps at slot cornerback during practice, with him missing no downs.
The Bears have had some defensive struggles over the last four seasons, ranking 25th this season with just 14 touchdowns allowed in 67 games. They will look to improve their performance against Flacco and the Bengals on Sunday.
 i dont think its fair tho that ppl r expecting so much from him after gettin hurt, hes made huge progress & should b given some credit
 i dont think its fair tho that ppl r expecting so much from him after gettin hurt, hes made huge progress & should b given some credit  c.j. gardner-johnson looks like an awesome addition to the bears defense too, cant w8 2 c them play against flacco & the Bengals
 c.j. gardner-johnson looks like an awesome addition to the bears defense too, cant w8 2 c them play against flacco & the Bengals 

 , but at the same time, i'm like, totally uncertain about it
, but at the same time, i'm like, totally uncertain about it  . he's been practicing for days now and stuff looks good, but you never know what's gonna happen on sunday, right?
. he's been practicing for days now and stuff looks good, but you never know what's gonna happen on sunday, right? 
 , i mean, new corners are always hyped but we need results, you feel?
, i mean, new corners are always hyped but we need results, you feel?  and the bears defense has been pretty meh for years now... 25th in the league... what's gonna change this sunday?
 and the bears defense has been pretty meh for years now... 25th in the league... what's gonna change this sunday?  I'm thinking the Bengals are gonna give the Bears a run for their money on Sunday! Joe Flacco is looking sharp after that injury, and he's got some serious skills under his belt. The fact that the Bears are trying to "force-feed" C.J. Gardner-Johnson at slot cornerback shows they're taking this game seriously too
 I'm thinking the Bengals are gonna give the Bears a run for their money on Sunday! Joe Flacco is looking sharp after that injury, and he's got some serious skills under his belt. The fact that the Bears are trying to "force-feed" C.J. Gardner-Johnson at slot cornerback shows they're taking this game seriously too 
 i feel bad for them tho, cant really take a break from practice with this guy back in the lineup
 i feel bad for them tho, cant really take a break from practice with this guy back in the lineup  still think they got this tho, allen's got a solid gameplan
 still think they got this tho, allen's got a solid gameplan  gotta see how gardner-johnson fits into the mix
 gotta see how gardner-johnson fits into the mix 
 . Gardner-Johnson's addition does bring some excitement to their secondary, and if they can manage to contain Flacco, it could be a game-changer
. Gardner-Johnson's addition does bring some excitement to their secondary, and if they can manage to contain Flacco, it could be a game-changer  !
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 and I'm low-key nervous
 and I'm low-key nervous  for the Bears, they need to step up their game
 for the Bears, they need to step up their game 
 his competitive edge will be a game-changer
 his competitive edge will be a game-changer  hopefully the Bears can keep him from exploiting any weaknesses
 hopefully the Bears can keep him from exploiting any weaknesses 
 he's looking back to normal already and that's scary for the bears
 he's looking back to normal already and that's scary for the bears  . They need to make sure C.J. Gardner-Johnson is comfortable at slot cornerback and can keep pace with Chase's speed - it's gonna be a tough matchup
. They need to make sure C.J. Gardner-Johnson is comfortable at slot cornerback and can keep pace with Chase's speed - it's gonna be a tough matchup  flacco is a beast on the field and i can see why the bears are worried. c.j. gardner-johnson seems like a game-changer, he's got that competitive edge that every coach wants in their player
 flacco is a beast on the field and i can see why the bears are worried. c.j. gardner-johnson seems like a game-changer, he's got that competitive edge that every coach wants in their player  . i'm curious to see how the bears' defense will hold up against him, they've had some struggles in the past but if they can figure out a way to stop flacco, it could be a major win for them
. i'm curious to see how the bears' defense will hold up against him, they've had some struggles in the past but if they can figure out a way to stop flacco, it could be a major win for them 
 . But at the end of the day, if Flacco is on, I just don't see my Bears coming out on top
. But at the end of the day, if Flacco is on, I just don't see my Bears coming out on top  . On another note, it's interesting to consider how Flacco's playing style might be impacted by his injury β was he always this unpredictable?
. On another note, it's interesting to consider how Flacco's playing style might be impacted by his injury β was he always this unpredictable? 
 οΈ i've been watching him play and he's got that competitive edge that's gonna give the bears an edge
οΈ i've been watching him play and he's got that competitive edge that's gonna give the bears an edge  what do you guys think?
 what do you guys think?