Cincinnati Bengals fans had their hearts in their throats today when star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase went down hard at practice, but the good news is he quickly confirmed it was just a “little hyperextension” and he “could have kept going if needed.” Talk about a relief, right?
The Scare That Rocked Practice
It all went down on Tuesday during practice. Quarterback Joe Burrow slung a pass downfield to Chase, who made an awkward landing and immediately grabbed his left leg. The All-Pro receiver crawled on the field, visibly hobbling as he made his way to the sideline. It was a tough sight. After reaching the sideline, Chase went back down again, still crawling and clearly in pain, which brought trainers rushing to his side to assist. You could feel the collective gasp from everyone watching.
Relief Rolls In From Chase Himself
But hold up, the immediate panic didn’t last long. After some time, his limp started to subside, and the camera caught him walking off the field with a trainer, looking much better. He was seen walking around and even chopped it up with Joe Burrow and DJ Turner. The best part? Chase wasn’t taken off in a cart or anything drastic. Later, he told ESPN radio the injury was just a “little hyperextension” and, get this, he said he could have kept going if needed. That’s the grit you love to see, and it’s the exact update everyone was praying for.
Why Chase Is Absolutely Crucial for Cincinnati
This scare highlights just how vital Chase is to that Bengals offense. The guy is a two-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler for a reason. Any absence from him would be a massive blow to the team’s production. Just look at his numbers: last season, he racked up 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns, even playing nine weeks without Burrow, who was sidelined with a toe injury. His absolute best year came in 2024, when he blew up for career highs of 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns, earning him a sweet four-year, $161 million contract extension. Since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2021, he’s been Burrow’s go-to target. With Tee Higgins also a major threat, this receiving room is stacked, and keeping Chase healthy is paramount. Remember, he did miss five games in 2022 with a hairline hip fracture and one game in 2023 due to an AC joint sprain. Fingers crossed this hyperextension truly is minor.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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