Bengals get bad news on Ja’Marr Chase injury

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) walks for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. Credit: Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK

The injury bug has shown no mercy toward the Cincinnati Bengals this season. Its latest victim is star Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Chase suffered a shoulder injury and exited the Bengals’ Saturday clash against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The home team overcame Chase’s absence and mounted a clutch comeback to win 27-24 in overtime.

Chase was initially ruled questionable to return but was eventually spotted in street clothes before the game ended. The scene proved to be an ominous sign regarding Chase’s outlook for Cincinnati’s next game.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Chase is reportedly expected to “miss some time” as he recovers from a separated shoulder.

#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 is projected to miss the Bengals’ Week 16 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers with the possibility of an even longer layoff, per Rapoport.

The Bengals were already dealt a huge blow earlier this season with the season-ending injury to quarterback Joe Burrow.

With two of Cincinnati’s top stars on the sidelines, the 8-6 Bengals will have an even more arduous road to securing a playoff spot.

Chase leads the Bengals in almost every receiving statistic this season. Through 14 games, the 23-year-old wideout has 93 catches for 1,156 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 60 first downs receiving — all team highs.