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After sitting out due to a concussion and the Bengals' bye week, Ja'Marr Chase returned to his podcast microphone this week. Cincinnati's top player provided his most detailed account yet of the concussion protocol and his recovery process.
Chase characterized the injury as a "whiplash" concussion, resulting from the way his body twisted during a play against Jacksonville. Despite the nature of the hit, he expressed no resentment toward the Jaguars. "I thought I was really fine. But after seeing the video, I felt like it was more like a whiplash concussion from just my neck being hit side to side," Chase said. "I don't think it was anything too crazy from a player. No dirty play. I just think it was maybe a reaction of him trying to grab me or something like that. I can't say he was trying to play dirty at the end of the day; after I really got up and stuff, that's when I found out."
He also described the disorienting nature of concussion evaluations: "When you get a concussion, you don't know until they tell you, 'Let's go talk to you.' Then they pull you in a tent, and they ask you a couple questions. Depends on how many questions you get right." It was Chase's first concussion in the NFL and possibly his entire playing career, but he managed to return the following week against Miami.
To facilitate his recovery, Chase had to avoid his phone and screens for the entire week leading up to the Miami game. Instead, he turned to traditional paper books for entertainment, reading titles such as The Superior Man and The 48 Laws of Power. "I didn't really sit in the dark room. I tried to stay in like a routine to make sure I was okay at the end of the day," Chase said. "But I didn't really wear shades that much. I wore shades on the regular when we had walk-throughs .. I wasn't on my phone. I couldn't play video games. I was in here reading books just to keep my mind off stuff."
Key Analysis
Chase's approach to recovery highlights the importance of mental rest and routine following a concussion. His use of reading as a screen-free activity not only aided his recovery but also offered a glimpse into his off-field interests. The "Ja'Marr Chase Book Club" could become a recurring segment on his podcast, adding a unique dimension to his public persona.