Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase injury could impact Buccaneers in Week 1

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just weeks away from their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Their biggest challenge that day, and perhaps the entire season, will be containing Ja’Marr Chase, one of the NFL’s best wide receivers and Joe Burrow’s No. 1 weapon. 

But after suffering an apparent knee injury during practice on Tuesday, there’s a chance Chase could be sidelined against the Buccaneers if the injury proves to be significant.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers await Ja’Marr Chase injury update before Week 1

Courtesy of a video shared by Yanni Tragellis, who covers the Bengals for CBS Cincinnati, Chase came down awkwardly tracking a deep pass from Burrow and limped off the field. 

He spent the rest of practice walking around on the sideline with a trainer. While Chase was able to walk off the field under his own power, the severity of the injury remains unclear. 

The Bucs know firsthand that a player walking around under his own power doesn’t guarantee the injury isn’t serious. In 2021 against the Saints, Chris Godwin was sprinting on the sidelines to test out his injured leg before it was revealed after the game he tore his ACL.

With the season just weeks away, it’s hard not to wonder if this could affect his status against the Buccaneers in Week 1.

Tampa Bay isn’t hoping for injuries to opposing players. If anything, it would be much more satisfying to go into Cincinnati and beat the Bengals at full strength. Still, there’s no denying that Tampa Bay would have an easier assignment if Chase isn’t available. 

In 2024, Chase won the triple crown with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last season, despite Burrow missing significant time, he had 125 catches for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns, catching passes from Jake Browning and Joe Flacco. 

Chase could give the Buccaneers headaches in Week 1. Their secondary is an unknown commodity, with CB1 Zyon McCollum coming off a down year and Jacob Parrish lining up as the CB2 after spending last season as the nickel. They’re also expected to have rookie Keionte Scott as the starting slot cornerback, and he’ll get quite the welcome to the NFL against an explosive Bengals offense. 

Even if Chase doesn’t play, the Bucs will have their hands full with Tee Higgins. Dealing with both receivers would be an especially tall task for Tampa Bay’s young secondary. 

The Buccaneers should want Chase on the field and should welcome the challenge of trying to slow him down. What better way to kick off the season than by finding success against one of the NFL’s best offenses and leaving Cincinnati with a victory before returning to Tampa Bay for a three-game homestand? 

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