Joe Flacco: Is starting today| Is playing today| Injury status| Or Jared Goff

In today’s NFL landscape, knowing your quarterback status matters—for fans, bettors, fantasy players, and analysts alike. Two veteran signal-callers making headlines in 2025 are Joe Flacco and Jared Goff. In this article we’ll dive into:

• Whether Joe Flacco is starting or playing today;

• His current injury status;

• Jared Goff’s readiness and injury picture;

• Comparing the two and implications for teams and fantasy football.

Joe Flacco: Current Status & Injury Update

Brief career recap

Joe Flacco has carved out a long NFL career. Originally a Super-Bowl MVP winner with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, his veteran presence now still carries value.

Recent move and starting status

In the 2025 season, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. Reports say the Bengals plan to start Flacco for Week 9 despite his shoulder issue.

So, is he starting today? According to sources, yes—Flacco is expected to take the field in the upcoming game. For example, one update: “Joe Flacco, QB, CIN (shoulder): The veteran plans to start this weekend.”

Injury: What’s the issue?

The key injury concern for Flacco is a sprained AC‐joint in his throwing (right) shoulder.
Specifically:

• He didn’t practice Wednesday of one week, which left his status uncertain.

• He returned to limited practice Thursday, which improved optimism.

• He’s officially listed as questionable for the game but expected to play.

Is he playing today?

Yes—based on the most recent information, Joe Flacco is expected to play and to start. His designation is “questionable,” not “out.” The plan is for him to take the snaps unless something changes late in the week.

What to watch / caveats

While Flacco is expected to start:

• Monitor late practice reports — if he fails to take any reps or aggravates the shoulder, backup Jake Browning is in line.

• The AC joint sprain is in his throwing shoulder—this is a meaningful injury for a QB, especially when throwing deep or using his full arm strength.

• In fantasy or betting contexts, consider that the shoulder may reduce his mobility, velocity, or willingness to let it rip—something to factor into performance expectations.

• The team could still limit his snaps or protect him if ahead in a game.

Jared Goff: Current Status & Injury Picture

Career summary

Jared Goff, currently with the Detroit Lions, has grown into a reliable starter over the years. His 2025 stats show strong performance: e.g., ~1,631 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, a 74.9% completion rate, QBR ~66.9.

Injury status: Is he good to go?

Yes—Goff appears to be active and without any major current injury designation. Key points:

• He is not currently listed on the latest injury report, meaning he’s expected to play.

• Historical injuries: he’s had things such as a thumb fracture/dislocation in 2020.

• For the current week he is listed as “expected to play.”

Therefore, if you’re asking “Is Jared Goff playing today?” the answer is yes—he appears to be healthy and expected to start.

What to keep in mind

• Even though Goff is healthy, always check the official pregame injury report and final inactive list (especially for any sudden changes).

• Sometimes, even when a QB is healthy, factors like matchup, coaching decision, or minor nagging injuries (not fully public) can influence performance or snap counts.

• For fantasy purposes: Goff’s consistency and health status make him a lower‐risk pick compared to a QB with a lingering injury question.

Head-to-Head: Flacco vs. Goff – Who Should You Expect to See?

When choosing between Joe Flacco and Jared Goff—whether for listening to commentary, placing bets, or setting lineups—here are key differentiators:

Availability & certainty

• Goff: Healthy, expected to play, no major concern.

• Flacco: Playing, but with a shoulder injury; listed as questionable. That “Q” tag introduces more uncertainty.

Experience and recent usage

• Flacco brings decades of experience, but is now older and carrying an injury, which might affect his full performance ceiling.

• Goff is younger, in his prime years, and has a more consistent recent track record of starting and staying healthy.

Risk vs reward

• With Flacco, you’re getting a potential veteran surge, but the injury adds risk (could miss snaps, limited effectiveness, or worse).

• With Goff, you’re getting relatively lower risk—his health is clear, so you can expect a baseline level of production without worrying about a last‐minute scratch.

For fantasy/lineup decisions

• If you have to pick one: Goff is the safer starting choice today.

• Flacco may still be worthwhile—especially if your team has confidence or upside in his matchup—but you should adjust expectations downward (limit ceiling, increase risk tolerance).

• Monitor final practice/injury updates: if Flacco does not practice or shows limited action closer to kickoff, you might treat him like a “maybe” and have a backup plan.

Implications for Their Teams & Fantasy

For the teams

Cincinnati Bengals (Flacco):

• The Bengals are hoping Flacco’s veteran presence steadies the offense amid fluctuations.

• With his shoulder injury, the coaching staff might tailor the game plan: fewer deep shots, more quick throws, more conservative reads, to protect him.

• Other team members (receivers, O-line) may need to factor in the injury in their blocking and route timing.

Detroit Lions (Goff):

• With Goff healthy, the Lions have continuity under center. That enhances game-planning confidence.

• Defense coordinators on opponent teams know what they’re getting—less hidden risk or surprise.

• The Lions can commit to standard game-plans without major QB risk mitigation.

For fantasy and betting

• Flacco: Treat as a “questionable” starter with upside. If you start him, consider pairing with backup options. Also review his matchup: is the opponent weak vs. veteran QBs with injuries?

• Goff: Startting life is good. Use him as a baseline reliable starter with probably modest but steady upside, barring matchup or other team issues.

• Betting markets: An injury to a quarterback often shifts spreads, props, and total line. With Flacco’s shoulder, overs/unders might be modestly impacted (less big-play deep game).

Quick “Is he playing today?” Snapshot

What to Watch in the Lead-Up to the Game

• Practice participation reports: If Flacco is limited or absent in last practice, that increases risk of backup scenario.

• Final injury report/inactive list: Especially for Flacco. If he is ruled out or downgraded to “Doubtful” or “Out”, you must pivot.

• Snap counts and first-series play call: For Flacco, if the team gives him fewer early snaps or brings in the backup on obvious passing downs, performance expectations should be adjusted downward.

• Game plan adjustments: For Flacco’s shoulder, watch for more quick passes, roll-outs, less deep throws. For Goff, watch if the Lions stick to standard downfield game or if weather/conditions change.

• Opponent strength vs. injured QBs / veteran QBs: For fantasy/prop betting, consider how the opposing defense handles veteran QBs working through injury, or how they respond to younger QBs with health.

Final Thoughts

• If you’re looking for certainty: Jared Goff is your go-to today—he’s healthy, starting, and low risk.

• If you’re considering Joe Flacco: yes, he’s playing, but carry the caveats of his shoulder injury. Mitigate your risk (backup plan, adjust expectations, understand his matchup).

• For fantasy rosters or betting scenarios: Health + certainty often trumps upside. Here, the safer pick is Goff, unless you have strong reason to believe Flacco’s matchup and game plan will overcome his injury limitation.

• Always check the latest injury/practice/inactive updates close to kickoff, especially for Flacco, as the status could shift.

Summary

In short:

• Joe Flacco: Expected to start today, but with a notable shoulder injury and designated “questionable”.

• Jared Goff: Expected to start today, with no major health concerns.

• For lineup decisions or analysis: Goff is the lower-risk starter; Flacco has upside, experience, and is playing—but with added injury risk.