Following practice on Thursday, Bengals coach Zac Taylor made the announcement, saying, “We just ultimately made the decision that this week it’s not going to happen.” Although Taylor did not say how long Chase would be out, she did allude to the considerable amount of time that had passed before the Week 17 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs on December 31, which suggested a longer recuperation period.
Trenton Irwin has frequently filled in as a starter when Chase or Tee Higgins aren’t available, but Taylor stressed the team’s versatility with “a lot of guys available to play a lot of different roles” rather than confirming Irwin’s starting position against the Steelers. Another possibility is rookie Andrei Iosivas.
Despite Chase’s absence, Higgins—the other starting outside receiver for the Bengals—is committed to continuing to perform well, saying, “I still gotta go out there and be the receiver I am.”
Cincinnati, with an 8-6 record right now, wants to make the playoffs for the third year in a row. The Bengals have won three straight games with Jake Browning starting as quarterback in lieu of the injured Joe Burrow, who is sidelined for the entire season due to a ruptured ligament in his right wrist. Browning has completed 76% of his passes for 1,180 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions in his four games as a starter.
In spite of the Steelers’ three-game losing streak and the Bengals’ recent success, Browning expects a tough and competitive AFC North contest. Browning underlined, “Records don’t matter in any AFC North game.” “Really, it’s a bloody, tough fight.”
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