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Ja’Marr Chase injury update is concerning start to week for Bengals WR
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- Ja’Marr Chase injury update is concerning start to week for Bengals WR
It appears Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is on injury watch at the outset of Week 8.
According to Bengals reporter Mike Petraglia , Chase was not spotted at practice during the portion open to the media on Wednesday.
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"Bengals stretch on a perfect Wednesday outside Paycor. No Ja'Marr Chase spotted at stretch," Petraglia wrote.
This means that Chase is on track to be a non-participant in practice to begin the week, which puts his status in question.
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As of this writing, it isn't clear what Chase is dealing with that has him sidelined. The superstar wide receiver was not listed on Cincinnati's injury report last week.
We'll have our answer later in the day, when the Bengals release their first injury report.
The good news is, Chase will have two more days to get back on the practice field and avoid a designation before the Bengals host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
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Bengals' shaky wide receiver depth
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5). Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
If Chase keeps trending in the wrong direction, it's going to take a village to replace one of the league's best wideouts.
The problem, however, is that the Bengals don't have many reliable villagers.
Tee Higgins is rock-solid and would step into the role as the Bengals' No. 1 wide receiver if Chase is forced to sit.
Higgins is having a phenomenal season with 571 receiving yards and two scores in six games. He has been especially hot of late after tallying 11 catches for 157 yards in Week 4 and six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown in Week 7
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Higgins ranks eighth in the NFL in receiving yards and has more than Chase, who has 351 in six contests.
The problem is: who steps up behind him?
Andrei Iosivas is on injured reserve , and the Bengals have a slew of wild cards in their receivers room with guys like Dohnte Meyers, Colbie Young and Mitch Tinsley.
Meyers has been the most productive of that group, with the rookie posting 141 yards. He would serve as Cincinnati's No. 2 in the receivers room if Chase is ruled out.
Along with Higgins and Meyers, the Bengals will also need more from tight end Mike Gesicki, who ranks third on the team in receiving yards with 165.
The Bengals and Titans meet at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS and Paramount+.
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