As expected, Chase will be unavailable after he sustained the shoulder injury in a Week 15 victory over the Minnesota Vikings — the first of back-to-back Saturday tilts for Cincinnati.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Chase would miss Week 16 and perhaps more time due to his shoulder ailment. A day later, Taylor wasn’t ready to announce the Bengals would be without their top wideout.
Now, Cincy is tasked with staying in playoff contention without their WR1 and their QB1.
With quarterback Joe Burrow out for the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury, the Bengals (8-6) have stayed in the thick of the playoff hunt thanks largely to the inspired play of backup QB Jake Browning, who’s piloted Cincinnati to three straight wins.