Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase clarifies his take on when Joe Burrow should return
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase made sure to emphasize what he said about quarterback Joe Burrow returning not before he's 100% healthy. If that means he misses a game or two, that's quite alright with his No. 1 receiving option."I want him to be 100% healthy to play," Chase said to reporters after Sunday's […]
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase made sure to emphasize what he said about quarterback Joe Burrow returning not before he's 100% healthy. If that means he misses a game or two, that's quite alright with his No. 1 receiving option.
"I want him to be 100% healthy to play," Chase said to reporters after Sunday's practice. "I 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. And that's not me telling him to play this certain game. That's me saying be healthy when you're back, 100% healthy."
It goes without saying that Burrow will likely miss any and all preseason action this month, which Chase says he shouldn't be worried about at all.
"He shouldn't see the field during preseason," Chase said bluntly. "I mean, we'd be okay as long as he's there in the season. We're worried about the bigger picture not the small picture here. That's where we trying to win, so as long as he comes in around the season that we need him, then we're gonna be okay."
Chase's genuine words also come from first-hand experience dealing with an injury that required time to fully heal. His hairline hip fracture he suffered in the middle of the 2022 season caused him to miss four games and five weeks counting the team's bye week.
He could've only missed three games, but opted not to play during the team's win against the Tennessee Titans. He ensured himself that he would wait until he felt 100% ready to go, which is all he wants his quarterback to do.
"Exactly. I gave myself an extra game to heal," Chase said recalling his 2022 injury. "I didn't rush nothing. I made sure I was ready to be back. Even though I felt good the week before, I just told them I didn't want to play, just to get myself and my body, the rest that it needs. You gotta be an athlete and be on top of stuff like that."
Burrow has certainly been in this situation before as well. He's spent the last three training camps working back from three completely different ailments, but has yet to miss a Week 1 contest.
The expectation is he won't miss this year's opener either, but he definitely has support from his teammates to take all the time he needs.
Prominent NFL head coach sends message to Zac Taylor after Joe Burrow’s injury
Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a calf injury during training camp practice this week
Featured image via X @FOX19Jeremy
