Is Ja'Marr Chase playing tonight? Bengals WR's status revealed for Week 18 Steelers clash

Several Cincinnati Bengals players, including standout wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, were selected to the 2025 Pro Bowl on Thursday. Chase is in his fourth season in the NFL and has been selected to the Pro Bowl roster four times in a row.

For Chase and the Bengals (8-8, third in AFC North) to secure a postseason spot, they need a few favorable outcomes in Week 18. But first, they must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, second in AFC North) on Saturday to stand a chance.

Let's find out if Chase will be available for the Bengals as the team prepares to march out for the last time in the 2024 NFL regular season.

Exploring Ja'Marr Chase's availability status for Week 18

Ja'Marr Chase has been available for all 16 games this season for the Bengals, and he will play again when Cincinnati takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Week 18.

Since he was left off from this week's injury report, the 24-year-old wideout is not suffering any injuries. He will start and play in his typical WR1 role on Saturday, barring any injuries that occur during the pregame warmups.

Chase is also vying for the coveted Triple Crown, as he currently leads the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Quarterback Joe Burrow, who could only log one full practice participation this week due to right wrist/left knee issues, is expected to join Chase in the Bengals's offense on Saturday. But like last week, wide receiver Tee Higgins is deemed "questionable" due to knee and ankle problems.

Also, wide receiver Jermaine Burton (NIR) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (knee) were ruled out on the final injury report on Thursday.

How has Ja'Marr Chase performed this season?

Ja'Marr Chase has been very brilliant for the Cincinnati Bengals this season. He will end the season as the NFL leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns if he plays fairly effectively against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Only four players — Jerry Rice in 1990, Sterling Sharpe in 1992, Steve Smith in 2005 and Cooper Kupp in 2021 — have led the league in all three statistics since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

Chase has 117 receptions and 16 touchdowns, leading Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions in both categories by 8 and 4, respectively. He also has 1,612 receiving yards, currently leading Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings by 133.

Ja'Marr Chase has set a new record for the most receiving yards in Cincinnati Bengals history this season while breaking the previous record (1,455 yards) he set in his rookie season in 2021. Additionally, he holds the record for the most catches made by a Bengals player in a season (surpassed T.J. Houshmandzadeh's tally - 112 from 2007 - during Bengals vs. Broncos on Saturday). He needs only two receiving touchdowns to surpass the 18-TD record held by Carl Pickens since 1995.