Coach Zac Taylor announced on Thursday that wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals will not play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.
Chase’s right shoulder sprained the AC joint during the team’s overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week. He hadn’t practiced this week, but he was thought to be day-to-day.
Chase has 93 receptions for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. He needs 19 more catches to tie the team record of 112, set in 2007 by T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
The Bengals (8-6) are tied with three other teams for two wild-card berths, but they start Week 16 as the sixth seed in the AFC. A game stands between the 7–7 Steelers and a postseason berth.