Following a pair of very productive weeks for the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hip injury. The second-year star could be headed to the injury report due to the extent of the setback.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Chase could be designated for the IR after after a specialist’s visit Wednesday and missed practice Thursday due to persistent soreness. Chase reportedly first sustained the injury in the Bengals’ Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, when he made seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
He was limited throughout the week in practice before Week 7, and though he played well against the Atlanta Falcons, catching eight passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns, he also appeared to be in pain toward the end of the game. He did not comment on the injury afterwards.
In his rookie season in 2021, Chase became an immediate contributor to the Bengals’ offense, working extremely well with quarterback and former LSU teammate Joe Burrow on the way to a run to the Super Bowl. In 17 regular season starts, he earned 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns to easily clinch Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
After a somewhat slow start to the season, not only for Chase but the Cincinnati offense in general, the wide receiver’s improvement coincided directly with a significant uptick in production for the entire team. As Burrow’s favorite target, Chase’s absence is sure to have an impact on how the offense will run in the next few weeks.
Replacing Chase will be a difficult task for the team as well, but fellow starting receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are sure to get more targets in the meantime. Chase’s backup, Mike Thomas, has only caught one pass this season but could become more involved over the next few weeks.
The Bengals’ first few games without their star receiver are relatively light, as the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers have both struggled in recent weeks. A bye week after that could give Chase extra time to recuperate without missing six full games.
