The Cincinnati Bengals have had a rough go of things since losing star quarterback Joe Burrow to a turf toe injury that is expected to keep him out for a minimum of three months. The Bengals acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to try and solve their offensive woes, and the move has worked masterfully.
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, they’re now fielding one of the worst defenses in the NFL, and as great as the offense has been under Flacco, the Bengals have still only gone 1-3 in his starts.
Now, the 40-year-old is stepping away from the team and missing practice time for what has to be a much-needed reset during the team’s bye week, according to one prominent Bengals insider.
“Joe Flacco is back home in New Jersey with his family today. Following the whirlwind the past month, Zac Taylor gave the veteran QB today & tomorrow off from the meetings and tomorrow’s practice before the Bengals bye week officially starts,” Charlie Clifford reported on Monday.
“Health wise it sounds like the throwing shoulder came out okay from Sunday vs the Bears.”
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Dude can just come back on game day as far as I’m concerned. Him, Chase and Tee are the only bright spots of the year. Everything else has been so so dark,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“He just needs to give Flacco off until next week. He earned it,” someone else added.
“He deserves it!” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Flacco can take his game up even another level after the time off.