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The veteran signal-caller took a hit from Jets Edge Rusher Will McDonald in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s heartbreaking 39-38 loss. Flacco briefly disappeared into the tunnel, leaving fans wondering if their season was about to go from bad to catastrophic. Thankfully, he returned for the final drive, but Monday brought the news everyone feared: shoulder injury, day-to-day status. Head Coach Zac Taylor’s Monday press conference didn’t exactly inspire confidence. When your starting quarterback is “sore” and listed as day-to-day, that’s coach-speak for “we’re not sure if he can lift his arm above his head.” Flacco’s Numbers Tell a Story Of Hope Here’s the thing about Flacco since arriving in Cincinnati – the guy’s been solid. Really solid. In three starts, he’s completed 64.3% of his passes for 784 yards, 7 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Zero! When’s the last time a Bengals quarterback went three games without throwing a pick? Against the Jets, Flacco went 21-of-34 for 223 yards and two touchdowns, adding a rushing score that made him the oldest player to score a touchdown for Cincinnati. The man even outran some defenders at 40 years old, which is both impressive and slightly concerning for the Jets’ defense. The Browning Factor Makes This Scarier Remember Jake Browning? Yeah, the same Browning who made Bengals fans nostalgic for Ryan Finley. He’s the reason Cincinnati went out and got Flacco in the first place. If the veteran can’t go against Chicago, Browning becomes the starter again, and that’s about as appealing as a root canal. The timing couldn’t be worse. Cincinnati sits at 3-5, desperately clinging to playoff hopes while Joe Burrow remains sidelined indefinitely. They can’t afford to lose games they should win, especially not because their backup quarterback thinks the other team’s jerseys are the same color as his receivers’. What This Means For Week 9 The Bears aren’t exactly the ’85 defense, but they’re not pushovers either. If Flacco can’t suit up, the Bengals’ already slim playoff chances take another hit. Chicago’s defense has shown flashes of competence this season, and facing Browning instead of Flacco would be like Christmas morning for their defensive coordinator. Flacco’s experience and ability to avoid turnovers have been Cincinnati’s lifeline. His pocket presence and decision-making have kept the Bengals competitive in games they had no business being in. Lose that, and suddenly the Bears game becomes a must-win that feels more like a probable loss. The Bigger Picture For Cincinnati This injury highlights just how precarious Cincinnati’s season has become. They’re one hit away from complete disaster at quarterback, and with the trade deadline approaching, you have to wonder if the front office is having conversations about moving pieces like Trey Hendrickson. The defense that was supposed to carry this team has been inconsistent at best, and now the offense might be without its most reliable player. It is enough to make you wonder if this season is already over in all but name. For now, Bengals fans can only hope that Flacco’s shoulder responds well to treatment and that he can suit up Sunday. Because if Browning is taking snaps against Chicago, it might be time to start looking at draft boards instead of playoff scenarios.
