Tag: Flacco

Bengals ‘anticipate’ Joe Burrow being ready for Ravens on Thanksgiving night

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow racked up 820 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two losses to the Ravens last season, but the Bengals are planning to give him another shot at their AFC North rival on Thanksgiving night.

Burrow is set to play for the first time since Week 2 and has cleared medical hurdles to take the field in primetime Thursday barring setbacks this week.

“Anticipate him playing. He looks like he’s in good shape to be ready to go,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

The Bengals went 1-8 without Burrow, who had surgery to repair a turf toe injury in September.

Cincinnati already ruled out defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) for this week’s game. Higgins also missed Cincinnati’s game in Baltimore last season when Ja’Marr Chase picked up the slack with 11 receptions for 264 yards and three touchdowns.

Chase is set to return this week after he was suspended for Sunday’s game at New England due to spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.

There was speculation whether the Bengals would put Burrow in harm’s way with the postseason a distant reach from where Cincinnati aligns in the standings at 3-8. But they are only three wins behind the Ravens and Steelers — both 6-5 — and Cincinnati is 2-1 in division games. The Bengals split with the Steelers, play the Ravens twice in a span of 18 days and end the regular season with home games against the Cardinals (3-8) and Browns (3-8).

When the Bengals were fading from playoff contention at this time last season — with a 4-7 record entering Week 13 — Burrow said the Bengals were about to run the table. Cincinnati beat the Denver Broncos on Dec. 28, 30-24, to stay alive in the AFC wild-card race with an 8-8 record. A win in the Week 18 finale over the Steelers (19-17) left the Bengals one win shy of the final spot in the AFC playoffs.

But Taylor hasn’t lost that energy one year later.

“You’ve got one of the greatest players in the world coming back,” Taylor said.

Baltimore swept last year’s season series with 41-38 and 35-34 victories. The Ravens own a four-game winning streak over Cincinnati and haven’t lost to the Bengals at home since 2021.

–Field Level Media

Bengals QB Joe Burrow questionable to play Sunday vs. New England

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Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might be ready to play Sunday in a surprise early return two months after surgery for a turf toe injury.

Burrow was able to participate in practice Friday for the third consecutive day while avoiding setbacks reintroducing his recovered foot to increased intensity on the field. He was limited Friday after being a “full participant” on Wednesday and Thursday.

“He’s done everything he can to put himself (in position) and be ready to go,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Now I have to make a decision on what we do.”

Taylor remained guarded 48 hours before the Bengals (3-7) kick off their Week 12 home game against the Patriots (9-2). He could stick with veteran Joe Flacco, who is dealing with a right shoulder injury, with Cincinnati playing on the road at division rival Baltimore in the NFL’s primetime game on Thanksgiving.

Burrow played the first two games of the regular season, landed on injured reserve on Sept. 16 and underwent surgery Sept. 19.

“Everything is moving in a great position,” Taylor said. “Now we just have to make a decision. You play a game Sunday, you play a game Thursday, you got to factor in all that stuff. He has tried to put himself in a position to be ready to go, and we’ll try to make a decision later.”

The Bengals started his 21-day window for practice availability on Nov. 10, but he would need to be added to the active roster by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to be eligible for Sunday’s game versus New England.

“Joe’s been looking good,” Higgins said of Burrow. “He looked good last week when he was practicing. You know, I’m happy for him.”

–Field Level Media

Zac Taylor still contemplating Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s status

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One day after Joe Burrow practiced without restrictions for the first time in three months, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor might be expecting the quarterback to show up in his office to declare himself fit for the start on Sunday.

“Oh yeah. And that’s my job, to balance all the information and protect the player. And make the best decision possible,” Taylor told 700 WLW on Thursday. “I wish I had that decision today. I’m going to take in all the information I can and make the best decision for Joe and our team and go from there. “

Burrow had surgery for a turf toe injury and is pining to return to duty Sunday against the New England Patriots (9-2). Cincinnati started 2-0, winning in a comeback over the Jaguars in Week 2, which Burrow exited in favor of Jake Browning. The Bengals then acquired Joe Flacco and sent Browning to the bench, but have only one win since placing Burrow on IR.

If Burrow plays this week, he would be about a month ahead of schedule.

A history of injuries and the Bengals’ 3-7 record are factors the team might weigh before putting Burrow in harm’s way this week. His initial timeline was projected to be three months after the Sept. 19 surgery in Birmingham, Ala. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Nov. 10.

Flacco said Burrow was impressive in his Wednesday work.

“Joe looked good. It’s cool to see him out there,” Flacco said. “And, obviously, when you’re both now taking reps some conversations happen. Like, ‘How do you see this vs. that?’ Joe looked good.”

Asked if there was even a chance Burrow plays this week, Taylor didn’t bite.

“I’m not there yet,” Taylor said. “One day at practice isn’t going to make that decision yet. We’ll use the time we have at our disposal and come up with the best decision we can.”

Flacco was limited in practice on Wednesday, prescribed rest for his right shoulder injury.

Taylor said one of the hurdles remaining for Burrow was gauging the physical response to his first 11-on-11 practice since September.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) smiles during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Joe Flacco hurting, Bengals prep Jake Browning for possible start vs. Bears

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A shoulder injury limiting quarterback Joe Flacco could force the Cincinnati Bengals to reinsert Jake Browning in the starting spot for Sunday’s meeting with the Chicago Bears.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said the team considers Flacco day-to-day and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher voiced optimism on Wednesday that Flacco could still be ready by Sunday.

Flacco suffered an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder in last week’s loss to the Jets. It was his third start since being acquired from the Cleveland Browns.

He had eight touchdowns and no interceptions with Cincinnati. Still, the Bengals went 1-2 with Flacco as its QB1.

Browning had an 0-3 record as a starter this season and was benched with the offense lagging. Cincinnati averaged 12.3 points with Browning running the first team.

Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was revitalized with Flacco in the lineup, catching an NFL-record-tying 38 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns in the past three games. Only former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (2018) has ever caught 38 passes in a three-game span.

The Bears (4-3) have allowed 185 points (26.4 per game) and 16 touchdown passes this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin questions wisdom behind Browns’ QB decisions

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Mike Tomlin has no words to explain his surprise that Joe Flacco is on the schedule with a second AFC North team on Thursday night.

The Steelers (4-1) beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday with rookie Dillon Gabriel in the starting role that belonged to Flacco until two weeks ago. Now Flacco is the QB1 for the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4), who pried Flacco from Cleveland in a rare intradivision trade last week.

Tomlin was puzzled by Browns general manager Andrew Berry reversing course from Flacco starting the season as the No. 1 quarterback to trading him to the Bengals a month later.

“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 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.”

Thursday gives Tomlin the chance to face Flacco as a starting quarterback again. Flacco is 11-11 in his career against the Steelers, including 21 games with the Baltimore Ravens. The 22nd game of his career against Pittsburgh was Sept. 29 last season, when, as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he relieved injured Anthony Richardson after only four pass attempts.

With Cleveland, Flacco was benched with a league-leading nine turnovers through four games in 2025.

The Bengals were looking for a solution with Joe Burrow (toe) sidelined since Week 1 and backup Jake Browning under fire after three consecutive losses. He had eight interceptions in four games this season.

Flacco had two touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first start with Cincinnati on Sunday at Green Bay, a 27-18 loss. He completed 64.4% of his passes for 219 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Browns make rookie Dillon Gabriel starter, QB41 since 1999

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Before changing continents, the Cleveland Browns are switching quarterbacks.

Rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel will start Sunday in London, replacing Joe Flacco as the QB1 for the Browns. Cleveland (1-3) plays the Minnesota Vikings (2-2) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the team is traveling for the Week 5 game on Wednesday.

Gabriel was named the No. 2 quarterback to Flacco on Aug. 26 when the Browns made the expected decision to begin the season with the 40-year-old veteran in the starting role. But Cleveland has 56 total points in four games and hasn’t scored more than 17 in a game this season.

Flacco completed 93 of 160 passes for 815 yards and two touchdowns. He has an NFL-high eight turnovers, including six interceptions.

Gabriel has appeared in two games in mop-up duty. He completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and one TD to running back Dylan Sampson in Week 2 at Baltimore, and was 0 for 1 last week in late-game relief at Detroit.

Minnesota’s defense is a major test for most quarterbacks, no less a rookie making his first career start.

The Vikings run a complex scheme orchestrated by Brian Flores predicated on blitz and coverage disguise that keeps even well-trained vets guessing. Since becoming defensive coordinator of the Vikings, Flores is 4-0 against rookie quarterbacks.

Flacco, described as the most natural thrower in the NFL by Packers coach Matt LaFleur earlier this season, was known for his arm strength and ability to get the ball down the field with ease. He will be the No. 2 QB in London with rookie fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders in the No. 3 role. The fourth quarterback involved in the training camp competition was Kenny Pickett, but the Browns traded him to the Raiders.

Gabriel, 24, is not entirely inexperienced after six seasons in college at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He received a share of the first-team reps in training camp and through the start of the regular season in an early signal the Browns were preparing him for the top role.

In 63 college starts, Gabriel set the FBS record with 189 total touchdowns (155 passing, 33 rushing, one receiving) and is second all-time in passing yards (18,722).

Oregon and Oklahoma operated an up-tempo spread offense with shorter, high-percentage throws than a traditional pro-style scheme. At 5-foot-11, Gabriel does require a quick release and cleaner pass protection than the 6-foot-6 Flacco.

Gabriel will become the 41st quarterback to start for the Browns since Tim Couch in 1999, when the Cleveland franchise returned to the NFL.

A full list of Browns players to make at least one start since 1999:

Tim Couch (59), Baker Mayfield (59), Derek Anderson (34), Colt McCoy (21), Brandon Weeden (20), Charlie Frye (19), Brian Hoyer (16), DeShone Kizer (15), Kelly Holcomb (12), Brady Quinn (12), Deshaun Watson (12), Trent Dilfer (11), Jacoby Brissett (11), Josh McCown (11), Jeff Garcia (10), Joe Flacco (9), Doug Pederson (8), Jason Campbell (8), Johnny Manziel (8), Cody Kessler (8), Seneca Wallace (7), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (5), Robert Griffin III (5), Jake Delhomme (4), Luke McCown (4), Ken Dorsey (3), Tyrod Taylor (3), Ty Detmer (2), Austin Davis (2), Case Keenum (2), P.J. Walker (2), Bailey Zappe (1), Spergon Wynn (1), Bruce Gradkowski (1), Thad Lewis (1), Connor Shaw (1), Kevin Hogan (1), Nick Mullens (1) and Jeff Driskel (1).

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Browns not considering QB change despite Joe Flacco’s struggles

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The Cleveland Browns are 0-2 and have scored just 33 total points so far, but coach Kevin Stefanski claimed that the team isn’t considering a change at quarterback.

Joe Flacco started the first two games of the season and has not been effective. Late in Sunday’s 41-17 road blowout at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, he was replaced by rookie Dillon Gabriel, who led a touchdown drive.

Asked if the Browns will think about a permanent change, Stefanski answered in the negative.

“I don’t think we did good enough. I think that collectively as a team, we as an offense, we as the coaching staff, all of us didn’t do a good enough job,” Stefanski said.

Flacco, 40, finished the day 25-for-45 passing for 199 yards — just 4.4 yards per attempt — with one touchdown and one interception. He also lost a fumble. He had 290 passing yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals but was picked off twice.

Gabriel, 24, made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter and completed all three of his passes for 19 yards, the last one an 8-yard touchdown to Dylan Sampson.

Gabriel is the second-string quarterback on Cleveland’s depth chart, and Shedeur Sanders is the third-stringer. Both were taken in the middle rounds of the NFL draft this past April.

Flacco, who was given the starting job in camp at the outset of his 18th NFL season, said he can’t worry about his job security.

“It’s honestly not on my mind,” Flacco said. “I got to go out there and just play my game, play the way I know how to. Lead this team the best I can. All that other stuff, it is out of my control. It is what it is. I mean, the only thing I can control is how I play and how this team shows up every day. So, it really isn’t in the thought process.”

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

This is 40: Joe Flacco embraces new opportunity as Browns QB1

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If one thing is easier in the NFL as a 40-year-old quarterback, it’s applying the mentality that every game could be your last.

Joe Flacco has embraced another chance with the Cleveland Browns during training camp and preseason practices, as he welcomed another opportunity following an up-and-down 2024 with the Colts as Anthony Richardson’s primary backup.

So when the Browns made it official, naming Flacco the starter entering the 2025 season, Flacco knew better than to waste time celebrating.

“I don’t know if I was very emotional about it,” Flacco said, “but listen, you don’t take for granted opportunities in this league. Especially to get one at this point of my career is definitely special. But, like I said, it’s pretty much business as usual and trying to get better.”

The Browns open the season against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7, a full 15 years after Flacco made his first career start against the same team as the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens. It will be his first opening week start since 2022 with the Jets.

But Flacco said he feels “as good as ever” physically while the Browns held him out of preseason games to make sure that health status didn’t change in a meaningless exhibition.

With Deshaun Watson unlikely to play this season due to multiple Achilles surgeries, and Kenny Pickett sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury, there wasn’t much of a competition for the job in Cleveland. Fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders threw two TDs in the preseason opener before going down with an oblique injury. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel has shown upside but also experienced growing pains while assimilating to an NFL offense.

“Joe performed really well in the joint practices, in the meeting room, you name it, in the walkthrough, just what he’s able to bring to the football team,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s earned that role.”

General manager Andrew Berry said recently the Browns could consider keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Stefanski was not ready to discuss the makeup of the full squad, or even the depth chart order behind Flacco.

“As you make decisions like this, you talk to the guys and you let them in on your thought process,” Stefanski said. “But all of them should consider themselves to get ready as a starter. That’s how you have to handle being a backup in this league.”

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, facing, chats with quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during training camp July 30, 2025, in Berea.

Browns to name QB1 this week

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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski plans to identify a starting quarterback for the 2025 regular-season opener “this week,” as Cleveland completes the preseason portion of the schedule and shifts its focus to the Sept. 7 date with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Stefanski did not provide further details on the timing of his decision, with 40-year-old Joe Flacco considered the most likely pick because of his experience and excellence in a brief stint with the team two years ago.

Stefanski said he could make the announcement as soon as Monday. The Browns wrap up their exhibition schedule Saturday versus the Los Angeles Rams.

“We still anticipate all of our players, whether you’re a starter or not, to prepare like you’re the starter,” Stefanski said. “Knowing all of our players in that room, that’s exactly what they’ll do.”

Flacco is taking the majority of the first-team reps this month on the practice field but hasn’t played in the preseason.

“We’re working towards Week 1,” Stefanski said. “That’s part of what this week is about, getting our football team ready. So, we’ll make all those types of determinations in the next couple of days.”

Cleveland drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 draft and selected Shedeur Sanders 50 picks later. The Browns also acquired former first-round pick Kenny Pickett from the Eagles. Pickett has been limited in training camp by a hamstring injury. Sanders, who threw two TD passes in the preseason opener, was not available for Saturday’s exhibition win over Philadelphia because of a strained oblique.

Flacco was signed off the couch to be a backup in 2023, when Stefanski said he proved “elite” arm strength in a workout one week before Thanksgiving when injuries ravaged the QB room. He wound up in the starting lineup when rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson was placed in concussion protocol. Thompson-Robinson was only in the lineup due to an injury to Deshaun Watson, who is expected to miss the 2025 season recovering from multiple Achilles surgeries.

Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs, then was allowed to leave in free agency on a one-year deal with the Colts. He re-signed with the Browns in March.

Flacco previously played for the Baltimore Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019) and New York Jets (2020-22).

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) and quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throw passes during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Shedeur Sanders hurt, Dillon Gabriel to start vs. Eagles if healthy

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Cleveland plans to start another rookie quarterback when the Browns visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

If third-round pick Dillon Gabriel’s hamstring holds up through joint practices with the Eagles this week, he’ll take his turn as Cleveland’s QB1 following a strong debut from fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders last week.

“The plan was always to give both of those guys starts in the preseason, so we’ll see how it shakes out,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday, adding Gabriel had to clear hurdles with a sore hamstring the next two days if he wants to take the field first this weekend.

Stefanski made the comments before the team practiced on Wednesday, and prior to what could be an obstacle to Sanders building on his first outing and claiming a significant role.

Sanders halted participation in throwing drills and appeared to be injured in Wednesday’s joint practice with the Eagles, further complicating matters for Stefanski.

Kenny Pickett, acquired from the Eagles in an offseason trade, is not available for 11-on-11 work because of a hamstring injury.

There’s only one quarterback on the roster who hasn’t been sent to the training tent this summer.

Cleveland hasn’t committed to playing Joe Flacco, the purported No. 1 QB on the depth chart, in preseason games to preserve the 40-year-old’s health.

Gabriel was selected 94th overall in the 2025 draft after putting up big numbers at three college stops: UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. Still on the board 50 picks later, the Browns chose Sanders to end a well-publicized draft weekend crash from projections of a top-50 draft rating.

Gabriel said he won’t put too much in the opportunity if he starts against the reigning Super Bowl champions.

“I try to just stay in the moment. I’ll look forward to that moment once it comes and be right where my feet are,” Gabriel said. “The best competitors know how to stay present and be themselves by competing at a high level one play at a time.”

Sanders received high marks from Stefanski after the Browns’ coaching staff reviewed the film of his two-TD showing in last Friday’s win over the Carolina Panthers.

“Certainly, for a quarterback, that next step is getting in the game settings and taking the practice field to the game. And I thought that’s what we saw by and large from Shedeur (Sanders),” Stefanski said. “That’s what we saw by and large from our offense was really taking those things that we’re homing in on, on the practice field and then showing them in the games, and it goes back to the previous point where we want to vary our offense.”

–Field Level Media