Key facts
- Chase landed awkwardly catching a pass on Tuesday practice and limped off the field
- MRI or imaging results not yet disclosed; Chase described injury as ‘a little hyperextension’
- Chase told ESPN 1530 he felt fine and said he could have kept playing if needed
- Bengals pulled him out as precautionary measure, not due to medical staff intervention
- Five-time Pro Bowler had 127 receptions, 1,708 yards, 17 TDs in 2024; recently signed four-year, $161 million extension
- No indication Chase will miss Week 1 opener; team may limit practice time in coming days
The incident and immediate assessment
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase sustained a lower-body injury during practice on Tuesday afternoon. While throwing a pass, quarterback Joe Burrow hit Chase on the near sideline, and Chase landed awkwardly on his left leg. He immediately grabbed at his leg and crawled off the field toward the sideline, visibly hobbling. After reaching the sideline, he went back down on the field appearing in pain, prompting trainers to rush over. However, he was not taken off the field in a cart or removed by medical staff.
What Chase said about the injury
After practice, Chase spoke to ESPN 1530 and provided a positive update on his condition. He characterized the injury as “a little hyperextension” and told the station he felt “fine.” When asked about whether he could have continued, Chase said he could have kept going if needed. According to NBC Sports, Chase also indicated that the Bengals “pulled me” out as a precautionary measure rather than due to medical necessity. No formal imaging results or official team injury designation have been disclosed in the available reports.
His visible recovery at practice
Over the course of practice, Chase’s limp appeared to subside. He was later seen walking around the field on his own without a visible limp, talking to teammates including quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver DJ Turner. He walked off the field under his own power without assistance.
Chase’s role and recent production
Chase is a cornerstone of the Bengals offense and a two-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. In 2024, his best season, he recorded 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns—all career highs. That exceptional year earned him a four-year, $161 million contract extension. He has been Joe Burrow’s primary receiving target since being drafted fifth overall in 2021. Chase also completed the 2023 season with 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns despite Burrow missing nine weeks with a toe injury. He has a history of injuries: he missed five games in 2022 due to a hairline hip fracture and sat out one game in 2023 with an AC joint sprain.
Outlook and next steps
There is currently no indication Chase will miss the Bengals’ Week 1 regular-season opener. However, the team may choose to limit his practice time in the coming days and weeks leading up to the start of the season as a precaution.
Sources
Featured photo: All-Pro Reels via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)