Report: Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase will not play vs. Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals will be without another huge part of their team as star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has reportedly been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.

Chase left the Bengals' Week 15 overtime win against the Vikings, and NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that an MRI on Monday revealed Chase had suffered a separated shoulder and could be out beyond this week.

The timing of Chase's injury could not have come at a worse time for the Bengals, who were completely written off when franchise quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending ligament injury.

Yet, Cincinnati finds itself right back in the thick of a chaotic playoff race, as they sit in the second wild-card position after winning three straight games due to unexpectedly solid quarterback play from quarterback Jake Browning.

Browning has struck a quick link with Chase, as the two have connected for 323 yards and two touchdowns in the games Browning has played this season.

If Chase misses time beyond this week, the two-time Pro Bowler could eye a possible return for a monster Week 18 matchup against the Cleveland Browns; a matchup that could have major playoff implications for both teams.

Cincinnati currently sits at 8-6 on the season, an identical record to four other AFC teams. The Bengals still have three games remaining with two of them coming against division rivals as well as an AFC Championship rematch with the Chiefs.

Regardless, head coach Zac Taylor remains optimistic Chase will make a quick recovery, as he called him "day-to-day", despite not practising Tuesday or Wednesday.

Receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will see an uptick in action with Chase's absence.