UPDATE: Officially Ruled Out
Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase was taken to the blue medical tent in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Jaguars to be evaluated for a concussion. Chase had his facemask grabbed on a catch and then absorbed a big hit, and he stayed down on the field afterward. The Bengals have listed him as Questionable to return.
The NFL's concussion protocol requires a player showing possible signs to be evaluated by team medical staff and an independent neurotrauma consultant, and anyone diagnosed with a concussion cannot return to the game. Being sent to the tent is not a diagnosis, and Chase may be cleared. His status could change quickly in either direction once he is examined.
Chase has no documented concussion history, which makes this notable on its own. His known injury history is largely orthopedic. He suffered a hairline hip fracture in 2022 that cost him four games after he aggravated it, a back injury in 2023, and an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder late in 2023 that was later found to be worse than first thought and kept him out a week. In August, he hyperextended his left knee in training camp, played through a limited week, and was ready for Week 1. His college career included a season-ending PCL tear in high school as well.
If Chase can't return, expect Tee Higgins to see the largest share of targets from Joe Burrow, with Andrei Iosivas, Mitch Tinsley, and Charlie Jones also in line for extra work. Chase has been one of the league's most durable stars, with 78 games played through his first five seasons, so his status will be one of the biggest storylines of the afternoon. If he enters the protocol, his practice participation this week will be the next signal to watch.
