Bengals Injury Report: Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) expected to miss Week 16 against the Steelers

After a 1-3 start to the 2023 season, the Bengals have played well since the beginning of October. In their last 10 games, Cincinnati has gone 7-3. It’s been an uphill battle for the Bengals without Joe Burrow. However, their team has battled through adversity and could still make the postseason in 2023. They have three important games left on their schedule.

The Bengals will be on the road this Saturday to face their division rival, the Steelers. Unfortunately, Pro Bowl WR Ja’Marr Chase injured his shoulder late in Week 15 and his status for Week 16 is in doubt. That means Cincinnati is likely without their best offensive player against Pittsburgh. There’s a chance that Chase could miss their Week 17 matchup as well.

Ja’Marr Chase’s Week 16 status is in doubt after suffering a shoulder injury vs. the Vikings

From @GMFB: The latest on the status of #Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, while #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers makes clear there will be no comeback this year. pic.twitter.com/pfYTHd7v9L

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2023

While Joe Burrow has been out, backup QB Jake Browning has been doing what he can to keep the team competitive. It also helps him that the rest of Cincinnati’s offense has been relatively healthy. However, the Bengals are likely without their top option at WR in Week 16. Ja’Marr Chase suffered a separated shoulder and will miss a week or two. Not ideal for the Bengals who have three tough games left in 2023.

Chase leads the team in catches (93), receiving yards (1,156), and receiving touchdowns (7) this season. Against the Vikings in Week 15, the 23-year-old had four catches for 64 yards. He suffered a shoulder injury in the 4th quarter and did not return to the game. Luckily, the Bengals have other talented WRs who can step up. Tee Higgins had a big game in Week 15 and the Bengals will need that again from him with Chase out.

Ja’Marr Chase #RuleTheJungle

AC Sprain

Likely Type 2, possibly Type 3

Expected to miss Week 16 and possibly even Week 17

Type II AC sprains are partial tears to several of the following ligaments:

Acromioclavicular
Coracoclavicular
Coracoacromial

If the Bengals make the… pic.twitter.com/kpUbbQkwPA

— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 20, 2023

Higgins had four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns against the Vikings. The 24-year-old only has four touchdowns this season and they’ve all come in two games. With Chase out against the Steelers, Higgins will be one of Jake Browning’s go-to targets in Week 16. Expect players like Tyler Boyd and Tanner Hudson to see increased usage as well. Mason Rudolph will be starting in Week 16 for Pittsburgh. A huge bonus for the Bengals.