The Cincinnati Bengals finally made a quarterback change, and Sunday’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers will be the first real test for Joe Flacco and the team’s revamped offense. However, just as fans were beginning to feel optimistic, star wideout Ja’Marr Chase appeared on the injury report and missed Friday’s practice.
What’s the nature of his injury, and will he be ready to play on Sunday against the Packers? Here’s the latest.
What Is Ja’Marr Chase’s Status for Week 6?
Chase had been fully healthy throughout the week, participating in all practices and showing no signs of injury or physical limitations. He appeared ready for Sunday’s matchup against the Packers.
That changed abruptly on Friday morning when Chase was added to the Bengals’ injury report for the first time this week. The designation wasn’t due to an injury but rather a sudden illness that developed overnight.
He was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game due to sudden illness. The timing of the designation suggests Chase woke up Friday morning not feeling well, prompting the team to add him to their final injury report.
While seeing a star player like Chase listed as questionable can create concern among fans, there is no major cause for worry. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chase is expected to suit up and play on Sunday.
Chase has had an up-and-down season so far. He delivered two standout performances against Jacksonville and Detroit, but his other three games have fallen short of expectations. He currently ranks 16th among receivers in PFSN’s WR Impact score with an 83.5 grade, totaling 32 receptions for 374 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bengals’ offense, meanwhile, hasn’t been firing on all cylinders without star quarterback Joe Burrow. On PFSN’s Offense Impact score, Cincinnati ranks as the second-worst offense in the NFL, only ahead of the 1-4 Tennessee Titans, with a grade of 55.6.
Much of the struggle stems from Burrow’s absence, as Jake Browning was unable to fill the gap effectively. He ranks last in PFSN’s QB Impact metric and threw more interceptions than touchdowns in his three starts.
While Flacco, ranked 35th in the same metric, wasn’t particularly impressive during his four starts with Cleveland, he brings a stronger arm and now benefits from a better supporting cast in Cincinnati. The Bengals can’t expect him to completely turn their season around, but he is likely to keep them competitive until Burrow returns, and that’s exactly what Chase and the team need to stay in contention.
