Just when they most need him, another Bengal is lost to injury.
Cincinnati will be without another key player as it attempts to make a last-ditch playoff run. With three weeks left in the regular season, nothing is certain, even though the Bengals are sixth in the AFC playoff picture with an 8-6 record.
Cincinnati must find a way to win without Ja’Marr Chase when they go to Pittsburgh, a division rival. The leading receiver for the Bengals, who was injured in Week 15 against Minnesota, will not play against Pittsburgh. For a club that had begun to appear competitive even without injured quarterback Joe Burrow, it’s a significant blow.
Chase suffered a shoulder injury against the Vikings last Saturday. At first, he just seemed shaken up, grabbing his chest and stepping off the field for one play. But he exited entirely soon after, clutching his shoulder.
The team declared that Chase suffered a sprained AC joint on Sunday. Given Chase’s status, head coach Zac Taylor initially did not rule him out of the Steelers game. However, he skipped all of practice this week, and by midweek, the Bengals had declared him out. Although Chase’s shoulder injury is not thought to be permanent, it does not mean he will return to the field in full soon.
ADVANCED: Ja’Marr Chase medical updates
With 1,156 yards on 93 receptions, Chase has emerged as the Bengals’ best wide receiver by far. Add seven touchdowns to his total. Jake Browning will now be depending a lot more on Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. With 575 and 497 yards, respectively, they are far less successful than Chase, but they have delivered
