While the Cincinnati Bengals got a much-needed win over the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, they finished the game without their star receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, who left the game early with an injury.
On Monday, the Bengals got bad news on Chase’s health, which will likely keep him from playing in Week 16’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday and potentially beyond.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Monday night that “Chase is likely to miss some time” after an MRI revealed a separated shoulder. Chase is expected to miss the game against the Steelers and could be out longer.
#Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase is likely to miss some time, sources said after the MRI on his separated shoulder today.
The expectation is that he is sidelined for this week’s game against the #Steelers, and it could extend beyond that, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2023
While the Week 11 injury to Joe Burrow seemed to effectively end Cincinnati’s season, the Bengals have played well with Jake Browning under center. They lost the Week 12 game to the Steelers, but have won each of their last three. Conversely, Pittsburgh is on a three-game losing streak heading into the rematch with Cincinnati.
In the four games without Burrow, Chase has caught 22 passes for 323 yards and one touchdown. He caught four passes for 64 yards in the Week 15 game against Minnesota before the injury. On the season, he has a career-high 93 receptions for 1,156 yards with seven touchdowns.
The Bengals are eliminated from AFC North contention but are in the thick of a busy Wild Card race in the AFC. Heading into Week 16, the Bengals hold the second of three Wild Card spots and are No. 6 overall in the conference. But with five teams at 8-6, there’s little wiggle room.
[Ian Rapoport on Twitter/X]
