The Cincinnati Bengals may have to continue their late-season playoff push without Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase, Cincinnati’s star wide receiver, suffered a separated shoulder in Saturday’s comeback overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bengals officially listed the Pro Bowler as day-to-day, but the latest report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicates things are a bit more serious than that.
“#Bengals star WR Ja’Marr Chase is likely to miss some time, sources said after the MRI on his separated shoulder today,” Rapoport tweeted. “The expectation is that he is sidelined for this week’s game against the #Steelers, and it could extend beyond that, as well.”
#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
Chase has started all 14 games this season for Cincinnati, logging a career-high 93 receptions for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite losing star quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending wrist injury in a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals are right in the thick of the AFC playoff race after three straight wins.
Backup signal caller Jake Browning (1,248 passing yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions on the year) has played well in Burrow’s absence.
The Bengals will take on the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.