Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase provides major injury update after hyperextending knee at practice

Ja’Marr Chase nearly saw his 2026 season end before it truly began, but he is shrugging it off now.

During practice on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver reached out for a pass from Joe Burrow. However, he suddenly lost his balance and fell to the ground in pain.

There was a moment of tension before he returned to his feet and limped back to the bench to watch the rest of the session. When he met reporters inside the locker room, he confirmed that he had suffered a hyperextension but was otherwise “fine”:

“Just a little tweak. … Feel good.”

Meanwhile, DJ Turner II, the cornerback who was covering Chase during the play, recalled:

“I was just trying to make sure he was good. The next play, nothing like that matters at all at that point.”

He also stressed Chase’s importance to the Bengals:

“You know we can’t lose him.”

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Rich Eisen calls Ja’Marr Chase a top-three “game wrecker” in the NFL

Ever since he was drafted in 2021, Ja’Marr Chase has been one of the NFL’s most dominant wide receivers.

He shattered multiple rookie records on his way to the Super Bowl. In 2024, he achieved the triple crown — most receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17) in a season. All three numbers also tied/broke franchise records once held by Chad Johnson and Carl Pickens.

He has also made five straight Pro Bowls and been named an All-Pro thrice — including as a rookie. Such a level of individual success, combined with the perception of his playstyle, has drawn much critical acclaim from many.

And heading into the 2026 season, Rich Eisen has some strong words for him. On an episode of his eponymous show last week, the veteran sportscaster said:

“Puka (Nacua) is four, but I can’t have him as the top receiver. I’m putting Ja’Marr Chase at three. Let’s not forget who this guy is, right? He is a game wrecker; he’ll just collect receptions where it’s like, ‘Is anybody aware that Ja’Marr Chase is out on the field?'”

Chase and the Bengals host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13 to commence their season. That game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.