Browns name Deshaun Watson Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has officially named Deshaun Watson the starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars
Ja’Marr Chase has given the Cincinnati Bengals a scare.
The star receiver limped off the field at practice on Aug. 25, holding his knee and being tended to by trainers, according to multiple reports.
Chase was able to walk off under his own power, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer (part of the USA TODAY Network).
Conway added that the receiver continued to stretch his leg and was later walking without assistance. It is notable that he didn’t need a cart or any further attention that would’ve required him to leave practice.
This is the play where the injury occurred, in a video captured by WKRC-TV’s Yanni Tragellis:
Losing chase for any length of time would prove to be difficult for the Bengals to overcome. Arguably the league’s best receiver, Chase’s rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow makes them one of the more lethal duos the NFL has. The Bengals have great expectations in 2026 after injuries have derailed recent seasons.
Here’s the latest on Chase.
Chase told ESPN 1530 Cincinnati radio that he is “feeling good” and is fine.
“Just a little incident at practice, nothing too crazy,” Chase said. “Little hyperextension, but other than that I’m fine.”
The receiver explained that he could’ve kept going, but the team held him out for the remainder of practice.
Chase initially limped off the field at practice with an apparent knee injury. He was able to walk under his own power and was seen stretching the leg out in the moments after he went down.
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Colbie Young
- Mitchell Tinsley
- Charlie Jones
With two high-priced receivers like Chase and Higgins, it’s only natural for the position group to be top-heavy. Not only would Cincinnati feel the impact of a Chase injury, but so would Higgins.
The WR2 would instantly garner more attention from defenses, prompting more double teams and making his life more difficult.
Iosivas stepped up as a complimentary piece in recent years, but the Bengals are mostly reliant on Chase and Higgins for a majority of the production in the passing attack.
Chase has been dominant ever since he stepped onto an NFL field. Drafted by the Bengals with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Chase initially entered the league with drop concerns ahead of his rookie season. It was a talking point throughout that preseason, even making difference between the NFL and college ball into a topic.
When the game starting counting for real, Chase proved to be the star that everyone imagined. He has done nothing but produce ever since, recording at least 1,000 yards in all five seasons. That includes at least 100 catches in each of the last three seasons.
Chase is a two-time first-team All-Pro and has been named to the Pro Bowl five times. He was also the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In 78 career games, Chase has logged 520 catches (767 targets), 6,837 receiving yards and 54 touchdowns.
This story will be updated.