Ja'Marr Chase Had Heartwarming Message for Joe Burrow After Return to Bengals' Sideline
CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to the sideline on Thursday night. It was the first time he was with the team during a game since suffering a grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2.
Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh 33-31 to snap a four-game losing streak and keep their second place spot in the AFC North.
Ja'Marr Chase had a record-setting night, finishing with 16 catches on 23 targets—both are the most in Bengals history. He tallied 161 yards and one touchdown in the process.
Chase had a heartwarming message for Burrow after the much-needed win.
“I didn’t even know he was coming to the game," Chase said. "At the end of the game I told him, ‘I know you miss it, brother. We miss you.’ I know he’s out there and wants to be out there, but it was good seeing him again.”
Burrow is on track to return in December. He wore a boot on his left foot during Thursday's game.
"Anytime we see Joe walking around being Joe is a boost for the whole stadium," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Friday. "And he was great on the sidelines. He was doing a great job with the receivers, doing a great job with the quarterbacks. I wasn't listening to everything he was saying, but it was almost like another coach over there talking through some things. So again, he's that type of guy that's just gonna try to help everybody and glad to have him out there."
It's unclear if Burrow will continue to be on the sideline moving forward, but it certainly can't hurt to have him out there helping veteran quarterback Joe Flacco or anyone else that could benefit from his input.
The Bengals are 2-0 in the AFC North and 3-4 on the season. They play the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Paycor Stadium. A win would get them back to .500 and give them renewed hope that they can win with Burrow on the sideline.
NFL Makes Final Decision on Punishing Browns WR Jerry Jeudy
The NFL has decided to fine Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy for his actions against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6.
Jeudy got into a tussle with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in the first quarter. The Browns’ top wide receiver was assessed a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.
After reviewing the play, the NFL assessed Jeudy a $12,172 fine for his action. It’s the second time Jeudy has been fined this season. He was hit with a $11,593 penalty for taunting against the Bengals in Week 1.
The NFL also fined Browns tight end David Njoku $14,491 for an obscene gesture.
Browns on Jerry Jeudy’s Penalty: ‘We Can’t Do That’
Jeudy’s penalty derailed the Browns’ opening drive and set a rough tone for the rivalry matchup.
“Jerry’s a leader for us,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think he was a retaliation-type thing and we preach that. We teach that. We can’t do that. And those are real yards that are hard to overcome, so we have to be better. Again, it gets to the point of need to make sure you’re playing clean, then give yourself a chance. It’s hard when you make life harder on yourself.”
Jeudy also took accountability for his actions.
“I can’t be having no personal penalties, that’s going to hurt my team,” Jeudy said after the game. “Set my team back 15 yards, I can’t be doing that. I got to be better on that. And I will be better on that.”
On the other side of things, Porter said his plan was to bait Jeudy into some flags with trash talk.
“That’s my game plan. I like to trash-talk, so any opportunity to get under a guy’s skin, I’m going to do it,” Porter said. “I feel like it was working. I know he knows it was working. So I’m going to keep doing that every time, especially when I see him again.”
Browns Looking to Get Jerry Jeudy More Involved
Jeudy is coming off a Pro Bowl season but has been unable to replicate his production. Through six games he has just 20 catches for 240 yards. He’s yet to find the end zone.
“Jerry wants to provide for this football team in any way he can,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, he’s a leader – we put a lot on his plate, we ask him to do a lot. So, he just needs to do what he’s capable of doing. I’ve seen it many, many times.”
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who will make his third start on Sunday against the Dolphins, is focused on getting his top pass-catcher on track.
“I think Jerry (Jeudy is) hardest on himself and wants to play at a level for us as a team, but also, himself as well, but I don’t think that’s ever going to stop our approach,” Gabriel said. “We believe in Jerry. Jerry believes in himself, and I think we’re going to just continue to work at it. We’ve got it. It’s one of those things you have to work your way through. I don’t want to keep sounding mundane and saying the same thing, but it starts with me and being able to help that connection.”
The Browns are a slight 1.5-point favorite at home against the Dolphins.
