Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) runs off before a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. The Bengals won, 33-31.

Chicago Bears get big Joe Flacco news on Saturday

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 2:37 PM ET

The Chicago Bears are looking to bounce back from a 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8.

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The loss snapped a four-game winning streak, and the Bears are currently a half-game back from the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC’s 7th seed.

Chicago already has an advantage for Sunday’s contest, as the Cincinnati Bengals will be without starting quarterback Joe Burrow, on injured reserve after having toe surgery earlier in the season.

The Bengals have been more dangerous in their previous three games with Joe Flacco, whom they traded for on Oct. 7. Flacco led Cincinnati to an upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.

However, the veteran quarterback suffered a shoulder injury in the Bengals’ 39-38 loss to the New York Jets in Week 8. It was unclear earlier in the week if he could play the Bears or if Cincinnati would turn to Jake Browning, who has struggled in relief of Burrow this season.

Joe Flacco is set to play against the Chicago Bears

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Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Bengals plan to start Flacco against the Bears.

“Bengals QB Joe Flacco is planning to start on Sunday, sources say, barring something unforeseen with his AC joint sprain in his right shoulder,” Rapoport posted on X. “There was optimism after Thursday’s practice and that continued this weekend. No one knows how it’ll react. But he’s giving it a shot.”

#Bengals QB Joe Flacco is planning to start on Sunday, sources say, barring something unforeseen with his AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.

There was optimism after Thursday’s practice and that continued this weekend. No one knows how it’ll react. But he’s giving it a shot. pic.twitter.com/IQBsOpjh6i

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2025

While Cincinnati is optimistic that Flacco can play, he likely won’t be 100 percent against Chicago. The Bears needed to take a playbook from what the Los Angeles Chargers did to the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Carson Wentz in Week 8, and apply constant pressure to the quarterback.

The Bears will have a boost at pass rusher in Week 9. Defensive end Austin Booker is set to make his first appearance this season after battling a knee injury sustained in the preseason. He was the league’s preseason sack leader with four sacks.

Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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