On Saturday, it was rumored that Joe Flacco would start for the Bengals against the Bears. By Sunday morning, it was confirmed. Flacco is playing despite a shoulder injury that kept him from practicing earlier in the week. He got hurt during a sack in last Sunday’s game against the Jets but didn’t miss any plays.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, defensive end Trey Hendrickson won’t play for a second time in three games due to a hip injury.
As for the game lineup, here’s who’s not playing:
Bears:
- RB D’Andre Swift
- QB Case Keenum
- LB Ruben Hyppolite
- WR Luther Burden
- RB Roschon Johnson
- DL Dominique Robinson
Bengals:
- CB Marco Wilson
- LB Logan Wilson
- OL Dalton Risner
- WR Jermaine Burton
- TE Cam Grandy
- DE Trey Hendrickson
- QB Sean Clifford
Similar situations are playing out across various games:
Falcons vs. Patriots:
- Falcons: CB Billy Bowman, RB Nathan Carter, OL Michael Jerrell
- Patriots: LB Caleb Murphy, DT Eric Gregory, G Caedan Wallace
Chargers vs. Titans:
- Chargers: S Tony Jefferson, CB Tarheeb Still
- Titans: WR Calvin Ridley, DT Jeffery Simmons
Colts vs. Steelers:
- Colts: DE Samson Ekubam, RB DJ Giddens
- Steelers: WR Scotty Miller, S Chuck Clark
49ers vs. Giants:
- 49ers: QB Brock Purdy, RB Jordan James
- Giants: S Jevón Holland, QB Jameis Winston
Broncos vs. Texans:
- Broncos: CB Pat Surtain, TE Nate Adkins
- Texans: QB Graham Mertz, RB Dameon Pierce
Vikings vs. Lions:
- Vikings: FB CJ Ham, T Walter Rouse
- Lions: RB Craig Reynolds, DT Quinton Jefferson
Panthers vs. Packers:
- Panthers: LB Princely Umanmielen, WR Hunter Renfrow
- Packers: WR Dontayvion Wicks, K Lucas Havrisik
Injuries can shift a game’s outcome, making it more unpredictable. Teams must adapt quickly, and this is especially true in the NFL, where even one player’s absence can impact team dynamics. According to a recent NFL report, injuries to key players can decrease a team’s win probability by up to 30%.
Fans are always buzzing about these changes on social media, sharing everything from last-minute lineup changes to player injuries. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can shift in sports. As the season continues, keeping an eye on player health will be crucial for teams hoping to achieve their postseason dreams.
