The Cincinnati Bengals were already facing a pretty difficult circumstance this season after they lost star quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury earlier this season. But just when the team seemed to find a rhythm with backup quarterback Jake Browning and get back in playoff contention, they got more terrible injury news.
On Monday night, league insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Cincinnati Bengals are now expected to be without star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for at least this weekend’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“#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,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
#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
This is obviously terrible news for a team trying to make the playoffs that has already lost its star quarterback to a season-ending injury, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it on social media as a result.
Yo @teehiggins5 let’s go on a lil run 🐅 https://t.co/81mZsIfl5X
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) December 19, 2023
Bengals will have to play last 3 games on All-Madden mode https://t.co/4S8Csd9imY
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) December 19, 2023
We'll miss ya #1, next man up! https://t.co/Ci1y2CqDUx
— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) December 19, 2023
Fresh legs for the playoff run! #WPMOYChallenge Karras https://t.co/LVmd6G1DdK
— HumKen (@HumKen) December 19, 2023
Can’t wait for him to be ironically back against Kansas City.
That’s just how it works. Everyone *somehow* comes back when they play the chiefs https://t.co/Co9faVxcGs
— Carson Wentz Burner (@CHADHENNEGOAT) December 19, 2023
This was the fear … https://t.co/eC8eZUvh4c
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) December 19, 2023
The Bengals have faced adversity pretty much from the very beginning of the season, so I’m not worried about their ability to handle it this week. They’re as well-equipped to handle it as any team out there. Yoshi, Irwin, Jones, you’re up. This is your time. https://t.co/s2zQGHW5LZ
— Adam Bonifas (@ABonifas10) December 19, 2023
We’ll have to see how the Bengals are able to perform without Chase in what seems to be close to a must-win game for the team if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
