The Cincinnati Bengals inch closer to a Week 16 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers with two major items generating the most buzz.
The Ja’Marr Chase injury and the scramble to add depth after losing DJ Reader.
That buzz suggests Chase could miss some notable time, while the Bengals finally appeared to find the desired depth by making a waiver wire claim.
While nothing on Chase is official just yet, the final injury report is the biggest remaining item yet to go final before kickoff on Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for December 21.
Ja'Marr Chase injury update, again
The latest report from an insider says Chase is likely out this weekend against Pittsburgh and that he might just miss the following game against the Chiefs, too. This, after Zac Taylor said they’re not ruling Chase out yet. If they do, it’ll happen on Friday with the injury report, or at worst, before kickoff on Saturday.
Waiver wire claim
After failing to claim a much bigger name on the waiver wire earlier in the week, the Bengals successfully claimed a rookie on the waiver wire on Wednesday. He’s more of a depth addition, yet needed as former backups step into full-time roles with Reader out.
Injury report
Chase was the only DNP during the second practice of the week, with several guys actually updated to full-practice classification. Besides the new Reader and Chase injuries, the Bengals are pretty healthy for this time of year.
Referee info
The Bengals will see a head referee who hasn’t handled one of their games since last season when they play in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Tyler Boyd on his legacy -- Bengals.com
Fun comment from Tyler Boyd, no matter what comes next: “I definitely want to be remembered as a Bengal. I played the most here. I’ve been here eight years. If I go somewhere else, I don’t see myself playing another eight years. I’m very grateful. I just want people to know how much work I put into this organization from top to bottom. The ups and downs. Us being good. Us being bad. I always stood tall and took whatever came with it and never quit on anybody and always was real about everything I stood by.”
Mic'd up time
"That was nice… I ain't gonna lie."
We had @teehiggins5 mic'd up for his iconic catch.
Mic'd Up | @altafiber pic.twitter.com/eHzMMUu8k2
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 20, 2023
