Will Ja’Marr Chase Play Against the Packers? All About the Bengals WR’s Injury Status for Week 6
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Green Bay Packers, Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals released their final injury report ahead of Week 6 football. Ja’Marr Chase, who has been crucial for the Bengals, is now questionable for the road game against the Packers. However, the good news is that he is not ruled out of the Sunday game yet.
As per CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz, “Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who didn’t practice today and is listed as questionable on Cincinnati’s injury report, is expected to play vs. the #Packers on Sunday.”
Head coach Zac Taylor revealed that Chase got sick late this week, making him questionable on the final report. Now, all eyes are on whether he can bounce back in time. The timing couldn’t be worse, though. The Bengals’ wideout has been on a roll this season with 32 catches, 374 yards, and 3 touchdowns through five games. For Cincinnati, his energy and timing with the quarterback are irreplaceable.
Still, the plan doesn’t change much. The Bengals are counting on Chase to play a crucial role. Even Joe Flacco, in his debut, leaned heavily on Chase. And despite Jake Browning’s struggles last week, Chase still managed two touchdowns against Detroit. That performance alone pushed the front office to bring in Flacco and stabilize the passing game.
#Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who didn’t practice today and is listed as questionable on Cincinnati’s injury report, is expected to play vs. the #Packers on Sunday, sources tell
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 10, 2025
But if Chase can’t go, Tee Higgins will step up as WR1, with Andre Iosivas ready to fill in when needed. Plus, don’t sleep on Mike Gesicki—his usage could spike big time if Chase sits. Either way, the Bengals’ air attack is gearing up for Week 6. But the problem is, Chase’s availability isn’t the only headache HC Taylor has.
More trouble for Chase’s Bengal
Guard Dylan Fairchild, dealing with a nagging knee issue, is also questionable. If he can’t go, Dalton Risner is expected to slide in. Meanwhile, Shemar Stewart practiced through an ankle problem all week but remains doubtful. The hope is that he’ll be ready for Thursday’s showdown against the Steelers in Week 7.
Still, the spotlight stays on Chase and Fairchild. Their status could shape how the Bengals approach Sunday’s clash at Lambeau Field. Lucas Patrick, fresh off injured reserve, is questionable too—though multiple full practices this week point in a positive direction. Cincinnati sits at 2-3, and with Joe Flacco taking over as the new QB, Cincinnati is eager to see if the veteran can spark some rhythm and help this team climb back on track.
“I appreciate the organization is trying to make this work,” Bengals star Ja’Marr said to the media this week. “We’ve got a chance. Defense is doing a good enough job for us to help us out. Our playmakers have got to make plays in space. That’s what they [the front office] see, and that’s what they want us to keep doing. They’re just giving us an opportunity to make more of those plays happen.”
Those words sound more like a belief, but also a challenge to everyone in stripes to respond. Now, all eyes turn to Lambeau Field. The game kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, and with so many question marks. Who do you think will take the game home?
Broncos HC Sean Payton Admits What Concerns Him About the Jets
Many people around the NFL are dismissing the New York Jets in Week 6 vs. the Denver Broncos. But not Sean Payton.
The Broncos' head coach echoed his quarterback, Bo Nix, on Friday, relative to the mythical "trap game" in the NFL (see the video above). Nix said he doesn't believe in trap games, while Payton emphasized how the talent level in the NFL is so off the charts that no opponent can be taken for granted.
The Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields, and they've stayed committed to the run game with Breece Hall. Plus, one of Payton's former coaching pupils, Aaron Glenn, is now the head coach in New York.
Glenn has been in the inner sanctum of Payton's coaching staff and knows how the sausage gets made. The truth is, the Jets present some threats that Payton finds concerning.
“There are a number of things. Obviously, they’re running the ball extremely well, really well. We’ve seen Fields and his explosiveness," Payton said on Friday. "He’s involved in the run game. I think the runner [Hall] is having one of his better seasons. The young receiver [Garrett Wilson] is explosive. The run game is going to be really important."
The Fields/Hall Tandem
Hall has 352 rushing yards and his averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Fields has more than double the rushing yards that Nix has through five games. The Jets rank third in the NFL, rushing for 144.4 yards per game.
New York's offensive has been sputtering when it comes to the pass, but they're a force to be reckoned with on the ground. And just when opponents start loading the box, and selling out to stop the run, that's when the Jets dial up a play-action shot for Wilson to hit Wilson for chunk yardage.
However, if the Broncos can stop the Jets' run game, it's hard to see Fields having himself a day. The Broncos have an excellent defense, but the unit has been inconsistent through five games.
The Glenn Factor
Payton also pointed to his own side of the street when it came to sharing some of the concerns he has about this game, before focusing on the challenge that is Glenn. Payton admires how hard the Jets are playing for Glenn, even if it's yet to come together.
"Offensively, that first half last week, eliminating some of the self-inflicted, the things that slow you down or keep you from getting momentum," Payton said. "They do a really good job in the special teams phase. The other thing is this, and I’ve known Aaron Glenn a long time. As a player, he was with us in Dallas, and then luckily, I was able to hire him as a coach. You see a team that’s playing their tails off. A different type team relative to their structure compared to last week. But nonetheless, the focus is really on us and being ready to go.”
Long story short, the Broncos can't afford to sleep on the Jets. And they won't — not with a veteran coach like Payton leading the way and keeping everyone's mind right.
