Ja’Marr Chase didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice, but if you’re a Bengals fan, you can probably chill out. This isn’t the kind of news that should have anyone worried about him missing Sunday’s big matchup against the Titans.
“Rest” Day or Real Ankle Trouble?
The word from Cincinnati was that Chase was a non-participant, sure, but they tagged it with both an “ankle injury” and “rest.” Now, what does that tell you? It pretty much screams that he *could* have been out there, but they decided to give that ankle some extra TLC instead. It’s not a full-blown “he’s sidelined” situation, it’s more of a strategic pause. He got treatment, which is smart, but the fact that “rest” is even on the report suggests he’s not in deep trouble.
Still Chasing That Elusive 100-Yard Game
Despite the Wednesday absence, Chase has been a workhorse for the Bengals. The dude was on the field for 87 percent of Cincinnati’s offensive snaps in their Week 7 victory over Baltimore. That’s the same as his fellow receiver Tee Higgins, so he’s definitely a crucial piece of that offense. Through six games this season, Chase has hauled in 32 passes for 351 yards and five touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, no doubt about it. But here’s the kicker, the one stat that’s still hanging out there: he hasn’t had a single 100-yard game yet this season. Can you believe it? Five touchdowns, but no triple-digit receiving yards in a single contest.
Other Injury Woes Around the Locker Room
While the focus is on Chase, the Bengals’ injury report did list a few other names. Safety Kyle Dugger, dealing with a quad issue, also sat out practice on Wednesday. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen got a rest day, too. Safety Jordan Battle was limited with a hamstring problem, and linebacker Joe Giles-Harris was restricted due to a calf injury. So, there are some bumps and bruises, but the main takeaway is that Chase’s situation seems to be more cautious management than a serious threat to his availability.
So, even with the Wednesday “rest” day, it sounds like Chase is locked and loaded for Sunday. Can he finally break that 100-yard barrier against the Titans? That’s what we’ll be watching for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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