Ja’Marr Chase says he did not play Bengals-Titans as precaution

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals star huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase revealed that he did not play final weekend towards the Tennessee Titans for precautionary causes.

In his first public feedback since struggling a hip harm, Chase mentioned he instructed Bengals coach Zac Taylor he didn’t wish to play in final Sunday’s victory at Tennessee as a result of he did not really feel comfy coming back from the harm that early.

“I wished to present myself one other week of preparation for the following recreation if I had an opportunity to,” Chase mentioned Wednesday.

Chase mentioned he feels nice and has no ache because the Bengals begin working towards for his or her upcoming showdown towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in a rematch of final season’s AFC Championship Sport.

Chase additionally revealed the specifics of the harm he suffered in October, saying he hyperextended his proper leg on a landing throughout Cincinnati’s Week 6 victory at New Orleans. He performed the remainder of the competition, together with the game-winning, 60-yard landing within the Bengals’ 30-26 victory.

The next Wednesday, Chase mentioned he instructed the Bengals’ coaching workers he had hassle transferring. He felt higher by the top of the week and performed in Cincinnati’s Week 7 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, when he he appeared to reaggravate the harm proper earlier than halftime. He completed that recreation as properly and posted eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Afterwards, Chase sought one other session and mentioned he was identified with a hairline hip fracture.

“That is what I obtained the second opinion for — that actual motive from the Falcon recreation,” Chase mentioned.

Chase has missed 4 video games due to the harm and mentioned he’s anticipated to have a lightweight observe workload for the second straight week. He was restricted in every considered one of Cincinnati’s Week 12 practices forward of the sport towards the Titans.

Chase mentioned his profession outlook was a major motive he determined to attend an additional week to return.

“I did not know if that was too early, too quick, so I simply instructed (Taylor) I wish to fear about long-term,” mentioned Chase, including that the workers and trainers had been on the identical web page with Chase about dealing with every part appropriately.

In his first NFL season, Chase set the Bengals’ franchise file for receiving yards in a single recreation (266) and a single season (1,455) — simply two of the accolades that shall be on his resume when he’s eligible for a contract extension in 2024.

Taylor mentioned it was laborious to foretell if Chase was going to be a full participant for any observe all through the week.

“We’ll do our greatest to verify he is comfy and we’re comfy,” Taylor mentioned.