Ja'Marr Chase Injury: Why Shutting Down Star WR is Smart for Long-Term Health

Bengals' star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is likely to miss the next 4-to-6 weeks and could land on the IR with a hip injury, according to multiple reports.

Based on video of the Week 6 injury, Chase appeared to suffer a right hip posterior bone bruise and potential labrum damage on a touchdown catch in the third quarter against the Saints, according to the Pro Football Docs.

Chase likely avoided any significant structural damage and won't have to undergo surgery, according to the Pro Football Docs, but resting the explosive wideout for the next month-plus will be the best thing for his long-term health.

Chase initially suffered the injury when his right leg jammed into the turf and forced a hip subluxation – quickly and partially dislocated and returned to the joint – on a tackle in the end zone by Paulson Adebo. 

He was a limited participant in practice the next Wednesday and briefly left their win over the Falcons at the end of the first half with hip discomfort. 

The injury mechanism is similar in nature to that of Bo Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who suffered much more significant damage and underwent career-changing surgeries. 

Chase, meanwhile, celebrated his score by doing the griddy seconds after the bone bruise and proceeded to haul in 11 receptions for 205 yards and three scores over the next game-and-a-half.

The game-breaking second-year receiver has played in all 28 possible games in his career. 

Cincinnati is a combined 17-10 with 25.89 points per game with Chase, compared to a 2-7-1 record with 21.3 points per game in Joe Burrow's 10 starts in 2020 without Chase.

Chase has 47 receptions on 74 targets for 605 yards and six touchdowns and is a top-four fantasy wide receiver in all formats.