Flacco will start Sunday's game against the Patriots with the Bengals electing not to activate Joe Burrow (toe) from injured reserve this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Burrow was a full participant in practice throughout the week and was listed as questionable following Friday's session, but the Bengals have ultimately decided to give him four more days to rest up in preparation of having him make his return from IR ahead of next Thursday's game in Baltimore. As a result, Flacco will be under center for a sixth straight game while Jake Browning serves as the Bengals' backup quarterback. With Ja'Marr Chase (suspension) sitting out Sunday, wideouts Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas, tight ends Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki and running back Chase Brown will operate as Flacco's top pass-catching options versus New England. Assuming Burrow incurs now setbacks during the upcoming week, Flacco will likely be headed for the backup role for the Thanksgiving Day game against the Ravens.