Cincinnati Bengals Star wide receiver is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of nfl media.
#Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) participated in Saturday’s walk-through and is likely to play today after missing just one game, source said. He talked this week like a player making his return.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
Chase missed last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after a shoulder injury in the overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings. Chase didn’t practice until Thursday this week, and participated in the Saturday walk through.
Quarterback Jake Browning and the Bengals were able to keep their head above water without Chase for the latter portion of the Minnesota game as wide receiver Tee Higgins stepped up to make one of the best catches of the year.
Tee Higgins just made one of the catches of the season to tie it late between the Bengals and Vikings. pic.twitter.com/FeQJObiy5I
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 16, 2023
This did not continue last week as the Steelers held the Bengals to just 11 points, while picking Browning off three times. The Bengals passing game struggled without Chase and it was clear that they need him to compete for a playoff spot.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had words for the Kansas City Chiefs secondary this week.
While talking to the media during the week, Chase called out the Chiefs secondary. Chase will have the opportunity to back up his talk at the risk of being forced to eat his words like the Bengals had to after last year’s AFC Championship matchup.
Chase said there is “nothing” that stands out about the Chiefs secondary. He went on to add that he is not concerned about adding “fire to the fuel” and that he hopes they “put the quotes in their locker.”
Ja’Marr Chase says Bryan Cook (on IR) is “just a guy to me… ain’t no Jessie Bates to me.” Chase loves adding “fire to the fuel” hopes Chiefs put the quotes in their lockers pic.twitter.com/Wbm2p6RseN
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) December 28, 2023
Chase’s return will affect the game from more than just an X’s and O’s standpoint as his talk this week is sure to motivate some Chiefs players. The Bengals did this exact same thing last year ahead of the AFC Championship game and it came back to bite them.
The Mayor of Cincinnati and former cornerback Eli Apple were cited as big reasons that the Chiefs came into the game with a chip on their shoulder. The Bengals did not learn from their mistake, and continue to taunt the Chiefs ahead of the game despite missing their star quarterback in Joe Burrow.
🏈“BURROWHEAD MY A**!”… This is exactly why #Cincinnati Mayor @AftabPureval should NOT have done his clown act on Friday. So embarrassing for the city. #bengals #burrowhead @bengals #Mahomes #afc pic.twitter.com/jpGgmgDdEw
— Steve Norris (@SteveNorrisTV) January 30, 2023
Chase already had to eat his words once this season. He had a lot to say ahead of the matchup with the Cleveland Browns early on before losing 24-3 with an injured Joe Burrow at the helm. In an article from ABC News he details how he felt after that loss.
“It’s frustrating because I called their ass ‘elves’ and we just lost to some elves. I’m pissed on my part. I’m pissed on that end.”
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has had some of his best games against the Kansas City Chiefs
Chase faced off against the Chiefs four times in his career, two of which were AFC Championship games. In those four games, Chase only lost one time. He has 527 yards and three touchdowns on 29 catches against the Chiefs.
His best game came in another Week 17 matchup against the Chiefs when he broke the Bengals’ single-game receiving record. Chase had 266 yards receiving, along with one of the most iconic plays of his career.
The last time Ja’Marr Chase faced off against the Chiefs in a week 17 game:
11 receptions
266 yards
3 touchdownsDo it again, Ja’Marr pic.twitter.com/w04FrpA7tp
— Chris ✟ (@OpoyChase) December 31, 2023
Another impact that Chase will have on the game involves backup quarterback Jake Browning. Browning through three interceptions in his one game without Chase as the Bengals only put up 11 points. Browning did not throw more than one interception in a game on which he had Chase to lean.
Higgins stepped up in Chase’s absence with 140 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, but his effort was the only one to eclipse 60 yards. The one-two punch of Higgins and Chase adds an entirely new dynamic to the Bengals offense, and is very important when it comes to giving the inexperienced Browning as much help as possible.
The Chiefs No. 1 cornerback will be a game-time decision for the matchup with the Bengals. L’Jarius Sneed is questionable with a calf injury, and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo discussed his potential role if he was able to go.
L’Jarius Sneed (calf) vs. Bengals is a game-time decision
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo yesterday spoke on a plan to play without CB or to not have him shadow but play R or L
This is huge for Ja’Marr Chase & Tee Higgins…monitor closely for 4:25 game
WR Rankings ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/wU00vVJqih
— Dynasty Dad (@DynastyDadFF) December 31, 2023
Sneed has shadowed one receiver in past games so if his inability to do so in this game remains true, it could spell trouble for the Chiefs secondary.
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