Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will be sidelined for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite ranking seventh in the NFL for both receiving yards (1,156) and receptions (93), Chase has been unable to practice this week due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder sustained in the previous week’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced the decision, stating, “We just ultimately made the decision that this week it’s not going to happen,” following Thursday’s practice. Taylor did not specify the duration of Chase’s absence but referenced the significant time gap before the Week 17 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 31, suggesting an extended recovery period.
While Trenton Irwin has typically stepped in as a starter in the absence of Chase or Tee Higgins, Taylor did not confirm Irwin’s starting status against the Steelers, emphasizing the team’s versatility with “a lot of guys available to play a lot of different roles.” Rookie Andrei Iosivas is also considered an option.
Higgins, the Bengals’ other starting outside receiver, remains focused on maintaining his performance despite Chase’s absence, stating, “I still gotta go out there and be the receiver I am.”
Cincinnati, currently with an 8-6 record, aims to secure a playoff berth for the third consecutive season. With Jake Browning taking over at quarterback in place of the injured Joe Burrow, who is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right wrist, the Bengals have secured three consecutive victories. Browning’s four-game tenure as a starter has seen him complete 76% of his passes for 1,180 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Despite the Bengals’ recent success and the Steelers’ three-game losing streak, Browning anticipates a physical and challenging matchup in the AFC North. “Any AFC North game, the records don’t matter,” Browning emphasized. “It is a tough, bloody fight, really.”
