As the Cincinnati Bengals were driving for a game-tying touchdown late against the Minnesota Vikings, their most dangerous offensive weapon was on his way to the locker room.
Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who had been on and off the field while dealing with an apparent chest injury, was unavailable late due to a shoulder injury.
The Bengals announced he is questionable to return, but NFL Network broadcast cameras caught him wearing a sweatshirt on the sideline with his arm apparently in a sling during overtime.
Ja’Marr Chase Injury Update
Chase ultimately never returned, and Bengals coach Zac Taylor had no further update after the game.
Early Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Chase suffered an AC joint sprain, which is basically a separated shoulder.
Chase will likely sit out Cincinnati’s Week 16 game against the Steelers, as Rapoport reported on Monday, adding the Bengals’ WR1 could be sidelined “beyond that.”
Chase had been dealing with an ankle injury in the lead-up to the game but had no game designation and made his 14th start of the season.
Ja'Marr Chase is out of the game and headed back to the locker room. It looked as though he was injured on this play.#PFN365 pic.twitter.com/0MOCtX9I9N
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 16, 2023
Prior to the injury, Chase had 64 yards on four catches.
On the season, he has 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns on 93 receptions.
MORE: Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
The Chase injury wasn’t the only bad break sustained by the Bengals on Saturday. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader was carted off the field in the first half after suffering what NFL Network reported was a significant quadriceps injury.
Fantasy Fallout From Chase’s Injury
Chase caught four passes for 64 yards before exiting in the fourth quarter. It’s certainly concerning that he wasn’t out there for a potential game-tying drive. That suggests an injury that may keep him out next week. With just two weeks left in the fantasy season, managers cannot afford to be without Chase.
If Chase can’t return, Tee Higgins would step up as the WR1, elevating Tyler Boyd into a starting role in two-receiver sets. When Higgins was out, we saw Trenton Irwin be a desperation streamer. But that was with Joe Burrow at quarterback. If Chase is out next week, Higgins, and perhaps Boyd, would be the only Bengals pass catchers worth starting.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Jason Katz