Steelers QB Kenny Pickett and Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are both out.
December 21 – Kenny Pickett, the quarterback for the Steelers, and Ja’Marr Chase, the standout wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, will not play in Saturday’s AFC North game in Pittsburgh.
In the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s 27-24 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings last Saturday, Chase suffered a separation of his shoulder. He might wind up missing several weeks of action for the Bengals (8-6), according to an NFL Network report on Monday.
Regarding playing Chase against the Steelers (7-7), Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor stated on Thursday, “We ultimately made the decision it was not going to happen.”
Chase skipped Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s practices. It will be up to receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to fill in for him.
Mason Rudolph of Pittsburgh, who replaced Mitchell Trubisky last week, will start on Saturday for the first time since 2021. In place of Pickett, who had ankle surgery to hasten his recuperation from a high ankle sprain he suffered on December 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, Trubisky struggled.
Rudolph remarked, “I have a lot of good relationships with the guys in the locker room.” As long as I have been here, I believe you better have some or you are probably not a good dude.
“I am excited to go out there, and the guys are excited for me. Do you feel like you are truly deserving of your paycheck each week as the backup quarterback? I therefore get to finally earn it this week, throw in my hat, and let us go battle for the win.”
In the thick of the AFC playoff chase, the Bengals are already without starting quarterback Joe Burrow due to a season-ending wrist injury he suffered in a Nov. 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, 34-20. Under center, Jake Browning has assumed command.
After 14 games this season, Chase, 23, leads the team in touchdowns (seven), receiving yards (1,156), and catches (93).
In 43 career games, Chase, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has 261 receptions for 3,657 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Bengals selected him from LSU with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
