It has been a tumultuous few months for the Cincinnati Bengals. First, Tee Higgins and the team couldn’t get a contract together and he waited until the last second to sign the Franchise Tag. Then, throughout Training Camp, Ja’Marr Chase participated in a “hold in” to try and leverage a contract extension like his peer, Justin Jefferson. Then, Higgins’ hamstring issues came back and he missed the first two games of the season.
Now, three weeks in, the Bengals, who were considered a Super Bowl contender, sit at 0-3. Losing to the New England Patriots in Week 1 was not ideal. Then, they lost a close one to the Kansas City Chiefs where they had Patrick Mahomes on the ropes on a 4th and 16. On Monday, the Bengals were beaten by the Washington Commanders thanks to a defensive effort from the Bengals that was softer than 10-ply toilet paper.
Now, with Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers up next, the Bengals’ injury report is out for Wednesday practice and Ja’Marr Chase’s name was featured.
Cincinnati Bengals Star Receiver Pops Up on Week 4 Injury Report
Five DNPs and one limited on an estimated practice report. #Bengals just holding a walkthrough later tonight.
Hendrickson and Chase most notable. pic.twitter.com/LW7HArRsyR
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) September 25, 2024
Considering Chase was “limited” on Wednesday, there is currently no concern for his status for Sunday’s game. Perhaps there is more concern for those DNPs.
Regardless, Chase has taken a few weeks to get going. Both the Patriots and Chiefs did fantastic jobs in limiting one of the top playmakers in the NFL. The Commanders, however, struggled. 118 of Chase’s 215 yards to this point game in the year came in Week 3, as did both of his touchdowns.
He was a massive part of the Bengals’ offense firing on almost all cylinders. Unfortunately for them, the defense decided to take the week off and the Commanders scored on all of their drives.
If memory serves, Chase missed a game last year due to an A/C joint sprain. Could this be concerning if it’s the same shoulder? Perhaps. But, considering he was just limited two days after the game, he should be fine. If he did not participate, then you could have panicked.
The Rest of the Report
Joe Burrow was a full participant with that right wrist injury he’s still getting back from. There have been concerns around his grip strength and whatnot after that fumble-turned-scoop-and-score in Week 2. However, if his wrist was as bad as the most pessimistic among us was, he wouldn’t have thrown for 324 yards and had two perfect deep balls to Chase for touchdowns.
Trent Brown tore his patellar tendon in the loss. He’s only on the report until the Bengals put him on season-ending IR.
Trey Hendrickson sitting out due to illness is not ideal. However, it’s just an illness, so he should be fine.
The defensive tackle deficiency was front and center in the loss. B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins were not great when they were in but they were better than the back of the roster choices they’ve trotted out there. Neither participated on Wednesday. However, Hill has a better chance to suit up and Rankins does.
In that same vein, it looks like Kris Jenkins is fully back in the fold. In his first action, he was decent in Week 3. The talented rookie is going to be trusted to anchor a defensive line that is easily the Achilles’ Heel of this Bengals team.
Tanner Hudson‘s absence is starting to look a bit concerning. Even then, with the emergence of Erick All to go with Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki, the Bengals seem okay at tight end.
If Week 3 was a must-win for the Bengals, Week 4 is about as do-or-die as it will get. If the Bengals want to get back to the playoffs, they’re going to have to treat each week like a playoff game.
More For You:
- Cincinnati Bengals: 0-3 is Major Cause for Concern, But There is a Beacon of Hope
- Cincinnati Bengals HC Zac Taylor Blasts CB Cam Taylor-Britt After Commanders Loss
- Cincinnati Bengals: Announce Devastating News Regarding 6-foot-8 Offensive Starter
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow Had a ‘Private’ Chat With Zac Taylor After 0-3 Start
- Watch: Bengals Fans Arrested For Attempted To Assault Joe Burrow During Loss To Commanders (Report)
Our Partners
