Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase raised eyebrows with his recent comments regarding Joe Burrow‘s calf injury sustained early on in training camp.
Chase indicated that he wants Burrow to sit out Cincinnati’s season opener in order to further rest his calf, and when asked about those remarks on Sunday, the 23-year-old doubled down and clarified his comments.
“Yes,” said Chase when asked if he meant what he said. “I 100% mean that.”
“I just want him to be 100% healthy to play. I don’t want him rushing nothing, I don’t want people in his ear telling him to play at a certain time. I just want him to be healthy,” said Chase, via Jeremy Rauch.
"I just want him to be 100 percent. I want him to be healthy."
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) August 6, 2023
Here's everything Ja'Marr Chase said today clarifying his comments on Joe Burrow's return.
Some good clarifiers and he doubled down on week one. #Bengals @fox19 pic.twitter.com/QG6QJ3O8m6
The star wide receiver also said that Burrow “shouldn’t see the field” during the preseason. The Bengals will face the rival Browns in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season and while it’ll be an important road game, Chase would prefer Burrow continues to rest up to full strength.
Chase compared Burrow’s injury to his own hip issue from last season, from which he opted to take an additional week to heal up before returning to the field.
“Exactly, I gave myself an extra game to heal. I didn’t rush nothing, I made sure I was ready to be back,” said Chase.
In late July, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor indicated that Burrow was “several weeks” away from returning to action. Cincinnati’s preseason opener is set for Friday, Aug. 11 vs. the Packers.
