The Bengals still don't know the Jets quarterback for Sunday's game at Payor Stadium (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Local 12), but they know it's going to be the seventh different one they've faced in their last seven games against the Jets dating back to Thanksgiving night of 2010 and a loss to Mark Sanchez.
Since then, they've defeated Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sam Darnold and, yes, Joe Flacco.
Flacco makes his third Bengals start against his old club. Back in 2022 in Flacco's native New Jersey, Joe Burrow led the Bengals to a win when his three touchdown passes bested Flacco's two interceptions.
But Flacco has been mistake-free with the Bengals as he seeks his first three-game stretch without an interception since he was the Broncos starter in 2019.
The Bengals are riding ball sorts of streaks. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is looking for his eighth straight Paycor game with a touchdown in the NFL's longest active home streak. The Bengals have won four of their last five games at Paycor. Flacco is 4-1 against the Jets.
Plus, in the last two weeks, Flacco has the fourth most passing yards in the league while posting second with 60 completions, as well as 92 attempts.
Not to mention a new fan in Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. Why not? Flacco targeted Chase 23 times against the Steelers, tied for the third most in as game since 1978. And with Flacco, Chase has at least ten catches in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.
"I think he just keeps amazing me," Chase said this week. "I never grew up watching Joe Flacco for real, but he keeps continuing to amaze me every day, every week. Everything he does. Just the way he approaches the game.
The Bengals won't have to contend with two of the Jets' top three players since cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson are out. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is very much in.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) was limited all week and is questionable after he relieved Justin Fields in last week's loss to Carolina.
What's on the line? The 3-4 Bengals are trying to get to the bye at 5-4. Just like the 2021 AFC champs.
All In On Carter
After Friday's practice, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor outlined why he has given fourth-round pick Barrett Carter the green dot helmet and the keys to calling the defense at linebacker.
"I just think the more opportunity he'll get, the quicker he's going to reach his potential. And so instead of sitting around and waiting, let's just throw in the fire and get going," Taylor said.
"He's a physical player. I think he's really good in coverage. I think he's got leadership traits. These aren't things that are a poor reflection of somebody else. This is just what I see as his high-end traits. And so I think all that matters, and again, just continue to give an opportunity for that to flourish."
The Bengals defense is looking to put its foot in the ground against a Jets offense that has gone back-to-back games without scoring a touchdown. After the Bengals ended their first-half drought with 17 points the last time out, the Jets come in looking for their first offensive touchdown in the first half since the opener.
Injury Update
Zac Taylor is keeping his fingers crossed that Sunday's game is going to be the healthiest his defensive line has been all year. The crossed fingers are for NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson (hip), hoping to play after missing the win over the Steelers. He didn't work Friday and is questionable. Backup edge Cam Sample (knee) is doubtful after going limited Thursday and sitting out Friday.
But rookie edge Shemar Stewart (ankle) is off the injury report after playing his first game in a month against the Steelers and now has had ten days to rest it while getting more reps under his belt. Edgers Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy have also had a healthy last couple of weeks.
Second-year edge Cedric Johnson may or not be an answer as a spot backup with Sample hurt. He's still on injured reserve after completing his first week of practice since what seems to him forever.
After he changed up his offseason routine to build off a strong rookie finish, he tore up his calf the first week of August. He's listed as questionable after going full all three days, but it's moot if they choose to wait to activate him.
"I feel great. Just to get back out there. The time went slow. Just taking it week-to-week," said Johnson, the sixth-rounder from Ole Miss.
Johnson took 20 of his 83 rookie snaps in last season's final two games, when he racked up three of his four quarterback hits and his one sack. Plus, Pro Football Focus graded him the Bengals' highest-rated pass rusher in the Week 17 overtime win over Denver.
Johnson stayed at Paycor Stadium during the offseason and worked with Bengals strength and conditioning boss Joey Boese, which made the injury doubly tough.
"Overall working on strength and speed and positional drills," Johnson said. "Just trying to build off those good rushes and make them better."
Returner Charlie Joners (ribs) went full the last two days and is good to go.
Slants and Screes
With cornerback Marco Wilson (hamstring) doubtful, it looks like Cam Taylor-Britt is back on the active list after a one-week message from Taylor.
Message received.
"Cam's had a good week, and so he's put himself back," Taylor said Friday. "He's practiced well. He had a good day today. I like how he's responded, and now it's just continued to be consistent with response." …
After reports surfaced that linebacker and captain Logan Wilson has requested a trade, Zac Taylor said he spoke with his longest-tenured defensive player after the promotion of Carter has limited Wilson to a combined 38 snaps in the last two games.
"Just keep focused on being here and helping us as best as he can," Taylor said of the discussion. "I know it's frustrating with the role, but he's handled it really well. He's done a great job with the young linebackers. He's continued to be in a leadership role in our team. I know that this situation can be difficult and challenging, and just keep focused on being here and working for us, trying to find ways to win."
Here's why he opted to go the route of a rookie in the middle and back him up with Wilson's 75 NFL games.
"It was more about Barrett than it was about Logan. I see a very high ceiling in Barrett," Taylor said. "I see some great qualities in him that I wanted to see more of.
"And I told (Wilson) he's in a position where there's a young player that I think has a really high ceiling and so that's the decision I made." …
