Is Joe Flacco's arm a question mark for the Bengals?
It seems that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco is managing a shoulder injury as the team gears up for their Week 11 clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Flacco, who didn't throw during Wednesday's practice, is expected to participate in Thursday's session, raising questions about his health and readiness for the game at Acrisure Stadium.
Flacco has been playing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, an injury he sustained during the Bengals' Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears, where they fell short with a score of 47-42. Despite the injury, Flacco made history in that game, becoming the oldest quarterback in NFL history to pass for a staggering 470 yards.
Interestingly, Flacco also skipped throwing in practice leading up to the Bears game. But here's where it gets controversial... Flacco has stated that he hasn't skipped throwing in practice much, except for the last two weeks. He focuses on getting his feet moving, listening to play calls, and going through walkthroughs to keep the operation as smooth as possible. He emphasized the importance of mental preparation and practice reps, even when he's not physically throwing, to ensure the team's efficiency.
In a previous matchup, dubbed the "Icy Hot Bowl" against the Steelers, Flacco showed his capabilities. He completed 31 of 47 attempts for 342 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Bengals' 33-31 victory. This performance highlights his ability to perform under pressure and lead the team to a win.
Adding to the mix, Bengals' starting quarterback Joe Burrow has returned to practice, but head coach Zac Taylor has ruled out Burrow's participation in the upcoming game against Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin is preparing his team as if Bengals' defensive end Trey Hendrickson will play, although Taylor has labeled Hendrickson as doubtful for the game.
What do you think? Will Flacco's shoulder impact his performance? Do you think the Bengals have a chance against the Steelers without Burrow? Share your thoughts in the comments!
