Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to miss four to six weeks with a left hip injury, ESPN reported Thursday, although the team is hoping he can return sooner.

Chase, 22, met with a hip specialist Wednesday amid getting other opinions, per the report. It’s possible he’ll be placed on injured reserve, according to ESPN.

Chase first injured the hip in Week 6 against New Orleans and then aggravated it on a non-contact play in the closing seconds of the first half this past week, a 35-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

After limping off the field, Chase returned to play in the second half.

Chase, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, did not practice Thursday, the first day of the practice week for the Bengals, who play at Cleveland on Monday night.

Chase has not commented publicly about the injury, and coach Zac Taylor said Thursday that the hip was “sore” without elaborating on its severity, according to the Enquirer.

The team is not getting specific about a timetable for Chase’s return, believing he has the “physical makeup” to potentially heal more quickly, per the Enquirer.

Chase has 47 catches (tied for 5th in NFL) for 605 yards (sixth) and six touchdowns (T2) this season. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs in 17 starts.

–Field Level Media