Chiefs vs Bengals Injury Report: Is Ja’Marr Chase going to play in Week 17 game?

The Week 15 and Week 16 games changed the scenario of the playoff run. While big teams like the Baltimore Ravens have already ensured their playoff spot, some teams like the Cincinnati Bengals are still grappling with uncertainties. The upcoming Week 17 will give a clearer insight to these team’s hopes for postseason.

The Bengals had one of the most turbulent seasons this year. After winning three consecutive games, they went down terribly in Week 16. One of the main reasons for the loss was the struggle on their offense, which lacked explosive weapons like wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Ahead of the upcoming game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the receiver’s injury status has been updated.

Is Ja’Marr Chase going to play in the Week 17 matchup?

The latest updates regarding Ja’Marr Chase’s shoulder injury indicate a ray of hope for his return but also leave room for uncertainty. After missing the Week 16 clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has been spotted practicing towards the end of the week, signaling a potential comeback. However, the “questionable” designation accompanying his name also raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming game.

The receiver was limited in practice both on Thursday and Friday. When speaking to the media Thursday, he sounded likely to play, but Head coach Zac Taylor told the media, “We’ll see,” when asked about his status. Seemingly, Cincy would see how the offensive star feels in pregame warmups and decide his final game status later.

The setback for the WR originated from the Week 15 encounter against the Minnesota Vikings. During that game, an incident involving Ja’Marr Chase raised concerns as he displayed signs of discomfort, initially clutching his chest before later grasping his injured shoulder. The Bengals later confirmed that he had suffered an AC joint sprain and ruled him out for the following game.

The Bengals’ offense, which has already dealt with the blow of Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury, heavily relies on the veteran’s explosiveness and game-changing abilities, making his presence on the field crucial, especially in such an encounter against the Chiefs. His absence against the Steelers showcased the impact of losing a key offensive weapon as Cincy lost the match 11-34.

Chiefs vs Bengals injury report for Week 17 game

For the Bengals, joining the ranks of the questionable with Ja’Marr Chase is cornerback Jalen Davis due to a groin injury, albeit his limited participation in Friday’s practice hints at a potential availability for the game. On a brighter note, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt seems set for action after completing three consecutive full practices post his return from injured reserve.

Both defensive end Cameron Sample’s consecutive full practices signal a promising return while tight end Mitchell Wilcox’s full participation in the latest practice also indicates his readiness to contribute. However, the emergence of running back Joe Mixon on the injury report due to an ankle concern, despite limited practice, raises eyebrows. No game status was assigned ahead of the Week 17 clash.

Contrastingly, the Chiefs injury report appears to be longer, and they would miss some key players vs. the Bengals. Left tackle Donovan Smith and wide receiver Kadarius Toney have been confirmed to be ruled out by Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney.

Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding top cornerback L’Jarius Sneed’s calf injury adds to the Chiefs defensive woes. Backup cornerback Joshua Williams’ last-minute neck injury further compounds their defensive concerns.

The running back situation for the defending champion has been mired in uncertainty, with Isiah Pacheco’s return from concussion and shoulder issues and Clyde Edwards-Helaire grappling with illness. Both are officially questionable for the Week 17 game.

In the receiving corps, the potential activation of Mecole Hardman brings a glimmer of hope for Patrick Mahomes and Co. Despite Hardman’s questionable status, his consistent full participation in practice suggests a potential activation in the match.