Two key players for the Cincinnati Bengals received major status updates before their crucial game on Sunday.
The Bengals will return star receiver Ja’Marr Chase to the lineup on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Bengals will be without a major contributor. The team ruled running back Joe Mixon out as well.
Tom Pelissero of ESPN tweeted, “Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) is inactive against the Chiefs. WR Ja’Marr Chase (hip) is active.”
#Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) is inactive against the #Chiefs. WR Ja'Marr Chase (hip) is active.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 4, 2022
Chase missed time due to a hip injury he suffered in Cincy’s Week 7 victory over Atlanta. Chase caught six passes including a touchdown in Cincy’s shocking win in last season’s AFC Championship Game.
Tee Higgins stepped up over the past few weeks in Chase’s absence. Joe Burrow hasn’t wilted throwing to Higgins and surely won’t mind having one of his favorite targets again, dating back to college.
Chase participated in practice last week but the team didn’t activate him last Sunday. Cincinnati defeated Tennessee anyway without the stud receiver last week in an AFC Divisional Round rematch.
Mixon suffered a concussion two weeks ago and has yet to leave concussion protocol. Thus, it’s absolutely for the best that the star running back doesn’t see the field. Until he’s absolutely ready, the team is wise to hold him out.
