Another Bengal goes down just when they need him most.
As Cincinnati makes its final postseason push, it will be missing another key player. The Bengals are sixth in the AFC playoff picture with an 8-6 record, but nothing is guaranteed with three weeks remaining in the season.
Cincinnati meets division rival Pittsburgh on the road, but will need to find a way to win without Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals’ best receiver missed the game against Minnesota in Week 15 and has been ruled out of Pittsburgh. It’s a significant blow for a club that had suddenly begun to appear like a contender, even without injured quarterback Joe Burrow.
Chase sustained a shoulder injury against the Vikings on Saturday. At first, he appeared rattled up, holding his chest and leaving the field for one play. He quickly departed, holding his shoulder.
Chase suffered an AC joint strain, according to the team’s announcement on Sunday. Coach Zac Taylor did not initially rule Chase out for the Steelers game, considering him day-to-day. But he missed practice all week, and the Bengals declared him out by midweek. Chase’s shoulder is not a long-term injury, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be back on the field anytime soon.
Chase is by far the Bengals’ leading receiver, with 1,156 yards on 93 receptions. He’s scored seven touchdowns. Jake Browning will now rely heavily on Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. They have substantially less success than Chase (575 and 497 yards, respectively), but have delivered when needed.
While Jake Browning has improved, playing without the team’s greatest receiver presents a significant challenge. Browning, who took over at quarterback for Joe Burrow following his injury, reversed the tide for the Bengals after an up-and-down season. They’ve won three in a row, including two OT victories. Their last loss came to Pittsburgh in Browning’s first start of the season, but they’ve dropped three straight since then.
