NFL: Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco Out For Season With Torn ACL

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco suffered a season ending injury during the Ravens’ 16 – 13 victory over the St. Louis Rams after leaving the game with what is expected to be diagnosed as a torn ACL and MCL.

In a movie worthy moment, Flacco suffered the injury during the first play of the game winning drive, reports ESPN‘s Jamison Hensley, before willing the ball downfield, spiking it, and allowing for Justin Tucker’s game winning 47-yard field goal.

The injury will mark the first time that Flacco, drafted by the Ravens in 2008, has missed a start due to injury. Backup quarterback Matt Schaub will finish the season for the Ravens. Flacco is fifth all time in the NFL in consecutive starts with 122 straight games.

As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports, the Ravens early on had trouble moving the ball during a first half riddled with penalties and missed an opportunity to put points on the board with a missed 51-yard field goal attempt by Tucker.

The Ravens had six penalties giving up 107 yards to St. Louis during the first half with Flacco 1 – 7 on third down attempts.

Schaub will attempt to join a list of over performing backup QB’s that have had to step in and deliver this season. As the Washington Post reports, this season has seen a litany of injuries to NFL starting quarterbacks

Indianapolis Colts backup QB Matt Hasselbeck led Indy to a 24 – 21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in place of injured quarterback Andrew Luck. Former third stringer T.J. Yates led the Houston Texans to a 34 – 17 win over the New York Jets in a win that allowed the Texans to hold onto first place of AFC South. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos beat the Chicago Bears 8 – 2 with Brock Osweiler starting in place of the injured Peyton Manning.

Flacco’s injury wasn’t the only major casualty for Baltimore, as starting running back Justin Forsett also left the game with a broken right arm. Forsett and Flacco join a black and blue list of injuries that have all but decimated the Raven’s playoff hopes. Wide receivers Steve Smith, Sr. and Brashad Perriman are currently on injured reserve with respective achilles and knee injuries, and tight end Dennis Pitta and center Jeremy Zuttah both suffering hip injuries.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke about Flacco’s performance.

“I think it was a courageous performance at the end. Obviously, it’s tremendously disappointing for those guys. We’ll be fine as a football team. We’ll bounce back. That’s what you do.”

Meanwhile, Flacco displayed his frustration and disappointment when asked about whether the severity of the injury would impact the 2016 season.

“I wanted to win a game. I don’t know if playing was the best thing but it’s just a reaction. I have no idea at this point. We just have to see what we can do and get back as quick as possible.”

Dallas Cowboys starting QB Tony Romo made his much anticipated return from a broken clavicle leading the Cowboys to a triumphant 24 – 14 win over the Miami Dolphins. CBS Sports John Breech reports that Romo stepped up in the clutch and made the Cowboys look like legitimate contenders as he went 4 for 5 during the fourth quarter throwing for 45 yards, including a tie breaking touchdown. According to Breech, the Cowboys played overall their strongest game of the season with running back Darren McFadden running for 129 yards, his second highest running total for the season, and the Cowboys defense only allowing 210 yards to the Dolphins.

[Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images]