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Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase downplays knee injury after awkward landing
Ja’Marr Chase was held out of the rest of Tuesday’s practice after landing awkwardly on his left knee, but the receiver later said he felt fine and could have continued.
CINCINNATI — Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase said he is fine after an awkward landing on his left knee ended his practice early Tuesday, easing concern around one of Cincinnati’s most important players as the regular season approaches.
Chase was matched against cornerback DJ Turner II on a deep route during the Aug. 25 session at the Bengals’ practice facility. As Chase reached back for the pass, Turner broke up the play and the receiver came down awkwardly on his left leg. Turner helped him away from the spot, and Chase initially limped toward the sideline.
The Bengals kept Chase out for the remainder of practice. Their training-camp report said he soon appeared eager to return, but the medical staff did not allow him back into the session.
Chase later characterized the injury as a small hyperextension and said he felt well enough to have resumed practicing. He also told reporters he believed he could have played had Cincinnati been scheduled for a game the following day.
The Bengals have time to take a conservative approach. They play their final preseason game Friday night at Philadelphia and open the regular season Sept. 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium.
Chase’s health is central to Cincinnati’s plans. He finished the 2025 regular season with 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games. NFL career statistics show he has exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first five seasons.
Tuesday’s play came during one of the recurring competitive matchups of Bengals camp. The team has highlighted the series of battles between Chase and Turner, with the receiver and cornerback repeatedly testing each other in one-on-one and team periods. The injury occurred on a normal football rep rather than a collision after the catch.
Immediate signs after the play were encouraging. Chase did not require a cart and remained around the field. He moved on his own and interacted with teammates before the session ended. Those observations do not by themselves establish the condition of the knee, but they aligned with Chase’s later description of the problem as minor.
Cincinnati’s next decisions will likely be guided by how the knee responds after the initial treatment period. With the opener still ahead, the team can limit Chase’s practice volume without significantly disrupting preparation. Any return to full-speed work will provide a better indication of whether the knee is tolerating the movements required of a receiver — particularly hard cuts, sudden stops and acceleration.
For the Bengals, the distinction between being available and being fully effective is important. Chase’s value comes not only from his catch totals but from the way defenses adjust to his speed and route-running. Cincinnati has little incentive to expose him to unnecessary risk in late preseason work if he can reach Week 1 at full strength through rest and gradual progression.
As of Wednesday, the strongest public update came from Chase himself, and it was reassuring. The injury ended one practice, but his account suggested he does not expect it to become a longer absence.
The team’s regular-season preparation now continues with a familiar priority: make sure its top offensive players arrive at the opener healthy. Chase’s knee will remain worth watching until he is back at full speed, but the early signs point toward a scare rather than a major setback.
