Cincinnati returned to the practice field Wednesday to start preparing for the Titans, and Ja’Marr Chase wasn’t out there with the rest of the Bengals during the portion open to reporters.
CLNS Media’s Mike Petraglia was first to note that Chase did not take part in the team’s stretch during the 30-minute media window. Zac Taylor had not raised any injury concern about Chase on Monday or Wednesday, and the receiver was at his locker speaking with reporters on Sunday.
There didn’t appear to be any sign Chase was working through an obvious issue after his halftime speech in Cincinnati’s 35-13 win over Baltimore. He explained why he got so fired up at the break.
"We had 15 plays, maybe two or three possessions, and it didn't go our way at all," Chase said about the speech reasoning at his locker. "We had opportunities to get the ball out of our hands.
Joe was putting up with too much pressure, and I came in here screaming, saying somebody got to make a play. Somebody got to make a play, and I told the offense we can't look at our defense the whole time.
We got to step this s*** up and make something work."
By his own standard, Chase has had a slower start than usual, with a career-low 11 yards per catch. Still, he produced Sunday, finishing with five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.
His status should land on Wednesday’s injury report as the Bengals deal with a few other health issues. Erick All (knee) is now on injured reserve, while Kyle Dugger is being worked back from a quad injury on a week-to-week basis.
Chase has already dealt with a concussion this season, playing only 15 snaps against Jacksonville in Week 4. Even then, he said last week he felt fine at the time.
"I thought I was really fine. But after seeing the video, I felt like it was more like a whiplash concussion from just my neck being hit side to side," Chase noted about the ailment last week.
"I don't think it was anything too crazy from a player. No dirty play.
I just think it was maybe a reaction of him trying to grab me or something like that. I can't say he was trying to play dirty at the end of the day."
Chase is scheduled to speak to the media on Thursday afternoon.
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