Joe Flacco doesn’t need knee surgery
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) walks off the field after being defeated by Cincinnati Bengals 34-17 at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco suffered a minor MCL sprain in the team’s last-gasp Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions, and he was severely hampered by it in a blowout loss to the New England Patriots the following week. Flacco simply couldn’t plant or step into his throws against the Patriots, and it led to a horrific day. He was never at risk of missing that game and downplayed the injury, but it was clear that Flacco was barely healthy enough to compete.
In a must-win game for the Ravens yesterday, Flacco had a poor outing against the Cincinnati Bengals with three interceptions and a putrid average of 3.8 yards per attempt, and it’s definitely been a season to forget for Flacco. He doesn’t have enough offensive weapons in front of him, and the offensive line has been totally abysmal. The Ravens need to add a legit No. 2 receiver and a better offensive tackle to replace Michael Oher (re-signing Eugene Monroe is definitely a must), because Flacco hasn’t had much to work with. Yes, he’s making too much money and isn’t actually a top ten quarterback, but there’s little doubt in my mind that Flacco’s solid, especially given his terrific arm strength.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Jamison Hensley, Flacco confirmed that he won’t need surgery on his knee in the offseason, and that’s great news. Flacco was never expected to need surgery on a minor MCL sprain, because that kind of an injury easily heals on its own. Still, it’s good news, especially given just how much pain Flacco has been in due to the injury. He’s been hit an awful lot this season, and it’s no surprise that he finally suffered a tough injury.