The Cincinnati Bengals will, in fact, be without wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase when they take on the New England Patriots in Week 12.
Chase was handed down a one-game suspension on Monday for his role during a confrontation with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey in Cincinnati’s loss over the weekend. The wideout chose to appeal the decision, but appeals officer Jordy Nelson upheld the suspension on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Video caught Chase spitting on Ramsey, who then grabbed the Bengals star and punched him in retaliation before being ejected.
After the game, Chase and Ramsey told different versions of the dust-up, with Chase denying having spat on his opponent.
It’s the second time this season that the league has disciplined a player for spitting. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was initially suspended one game for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the first quarter of the Sept. 4 season opener. Carter eventually forfeited his Week 1 game cheque worth $57,222 and avoided missing any more games because the ejection happened early in the game and the league applied that as time served.
— with files from the Associated Press