Steelers Now
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco’s injury may be more serious than previously thought.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed earlier this week that quarterback Joe Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury that caused him to exit their Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. More information has since been learned about the severity of the injury.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Flacco suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder, which leaves his status up in the air for the Bengals’ Week 9 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
#Bengals QB Joe Flacco is dealing with an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder & his status is up in the air for Sunday vs the #Bears, sources say.
Flacco left the loss to the #Jets, then came back late. Coach Zac Taylor called him day-to-day. Jake Browning is the backup. pic.twitter.com/ZxblNXiY5N
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2025
It is a bit surprising after Taylor described Flacco as day-to-day earlier in the week, but it will certainly be a situation to monitor, nonetheless.
Since taking over as Cincinnati’s starter in Week 6, Flacco has helped keep the ship afloat while throwing for 784 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions, which included upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.
However, if the Bengals were to have to turn back to Jake Browning, their hopes of staying in playoff contention until quarterback Joe Burrow could return may be too far out of reach.
The Steelers currently have more pressing things to worry about, like ending their two-game losing streak with the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts coming to town in Week 9 and then a road trip to the 5-3 Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10.
Pittsburgh likely has its Week 11 rematch against Cincinnati circled, though, after being embarrassed in front of a primetime audience.
Barring Flacco further injuring his shoulder, he will likely be suited up in a few weeks time, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin probably wouldn’t mind if that weren’t the case.
“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin said. “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us. Because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. But that’s just my personal feelings.”
A first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco has thrown for 46,512 yards, 259 touchdowns and 168 interceptions in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Severity of Bengals QB Joe Flacco’s Injury Revealed
