Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson led the way for rookies in Week 2

The Cincinnati Bengals lost a heartbreaker to the Chicago Bears 20-17. As we have some positive and negative takeaways, we look at how the Bengals’ rookies faired on Sunday.

Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson were the headliners for the rookies and probably will be for most of the season, as their impact is more vital for this team this year.

Chase had a slow game until late in the fourth quarter, where he hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass that cut a 20-3 Bears lead down to 20-10. He ended the game with only two receptions for 54 yards and one touchdown.

Burrow only threw two passes over 15 yards in the game, and one of them ended up being the Chase touchdown.

Evan McPherson picked up where he left off in his debut. He attempted his first kick in the third quarter, where he lined up on a 53-yard attempt, and there was never a doubt once it left the holder. This was his second field goal from 53 yards already this season. He made both of his extra points as well, which now makes him perfect on the season.

Cameron Sample was the only other rookie to see action on Sunday as he was a rotational player on the defensive line and around the edge. Sample was tied for fourth in tackles for the defense, where he had three, and then one assisted tackle. Sample had looked very confident as a guy who can go in and out and play around the line, which gives him and the coaching staff a lot of versatility with how they can use him.

Rookies D’Ante Smith and Jackson Carman did not see any action on Sunday for the Cincinnati Bengals but if Xavier Su’a-Filo is out this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, keep an eye on that guard role as it will more than likely be filled by Smith or Carman or a little bit of both.