The Cincinnati Bengals were handed a major scare when Ja’Marr Chase went down with a knee injury during Tuesday’s practice. With the star receiver’s status now under the spotlight, two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy believes the pressure could quickly shift to Joe Burrow if Chase is forced to miss time.
LeSean McCoy Challenges Joe Burrow After Ja’Marr Chase’s Injury
Chase appeared to hurt his knee while trying to make a play on a deep pass from Burrow. He went down after the play, raising concerns about the injury’s severity. He walked off the field without needing a cart, but given his importance to Cincinnati’s offense, the incident quickly caught everyone’s attention.
If Chase is forced to miss time, McCoy believes Burrow will have to take on even more responsibility. He pointed to quarterbacks such as Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, who have continued to succeed without their top receivers.
“Joe Burrow ain’t just a quarterback that can’t succeed without his number one receiver, and if he can’t still ball out without having Ja’Marr Chase, then what are we really talking about?” McCoy said.
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McCoy brought up how Cincinnati also has Tee Higgins on their roster, and given what he is paid, the wideout should be able to fill up Chase’s void if needed. According to PFN’s WR Impact Metric, Higgins posted an impact score of 77.9 last season, ranking 22nd at his position.
“I watched Josh Allen do that without… Stefon Diggs,” McCoy added. “You know what he did? He won the division. Then he got an MVP. Patrick Mahomes had the most drops in football (at) wide receiver position. Know what he did? I’m going to the chip,”
“If Joe Burrow can’t still ball without Ja’Marr Chase, is he really like that?”
– @CutonDime25 asking the important questions as it pertains to Joe Burrow being able to carry the Bengals in a potential Ja’Marr Chase absence
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— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) August 26, 2026
McCoy then put the pressure directly on Burrow: “So the question gotta be, we all talk about Ja’Marr Chase, but it’s really about Joe Burrow. Joe, if Ja’Marr can’t go, what are you going to do? Because we think you special. But are you that special if you don’t get it done?”
The message is straightforward: if Chase cannot play, McCoy expects Burrow to find a way to keep Cincinnati’s offense productive.
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Chase Remains Positive
Despite the initial concern, Chase remained positive when discussing the injury.
“My foot gave out on me, but just a little adjustment and I’ll be good. I feel good, motivated and staying positive. I tried to go back into practice, but they told me no,” Chase told reporters.
The wide receiver also revealed that the moment initially frightened him.
“A lot of things went through my head at that moment, but the first thing I did was turn to God. That was the only thing I could think about, praying first and then worrying about myself. If we had a game tomorrow, I’d play.”
Chase’s confidence provides some relief for the Bengals, but the team will still have to monitor his condition closely.
If he misses time, Cincinnati may need Burrow to lean more heavily on Higgins, the tight ends, and the running game. For now, though, the Bengals will hope Chase’s positive outlook proves accurate and that the injury does not become a major issue heading into the season.
