Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the NFL with 79 catches, has been suspended by the NFL for Sunday's game against the Patriots (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) at Payor Stadium for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey accused Chase of spitting on him in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, but the officials said they didn't see it and instead threw Ramsey out of the game for punching Chase.

Chase can appeal his suspension to one of three former players in Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson. They are jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFL Players Association to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

It would be just the eighth game Chase has missed in his five seasons, and first since late in the 2023 season, snapping a 29-game streak.

On Monday, before the ruling came down, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor offered an impassioned view of one of his captains and said he'll hire him in his post-coaching venture.

"When I retire, I will bring Ja'Marr Chase in as a board member of whatever leadership board I create to talk to people I want him to talk to," Taylor said. "We're not all perfect. We're going to make a mistake here and there, but I stand by Ja'Marr.

"I think Ja'Marr Chase will go down as one of my favorite all-time players and favorite all-time leaders and everything he is about … For a guy that has done everything we can to build our organization around he's been awesome."

Taylor thinks Sunday's incident is going to be long forgotten on Chase's growing resume that includes the NFL's third receiving Triple Crown of the century last year.

"Trust me, I made plenty of mistakes yesterday. People don't see on camera. Unfortunately, his was," Taylor said. "He's going to have to own up for that. That will be part of his journey. In some ways, he's a veteran. I think he's going to play a long time.

"When you look at the overall part of his career, this will be the beginning of his career in a lot of ways. We are going to move past that, and he is a guy we are going to continue to depend on."

Injury Update: Taylor-Britt Feared Lost

Taylor said he fears starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (foot) may be undergoing surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Taylor hesitated to say because he wants more info, but that would most likely put him out for the rest of the year.

It's a tough break for a secondary that saw Taylor-Britt excel the last three games after a rough start that included a benching and rotation.

On Monday, defensive coordinator Al Golden pointed to his no tackle for loss on the first play of the Steelers' two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Taylor-Britt went down four snaps later when he was called for pass interference.

"The last three weeks I've been so excited to work with Cam and the positive trend that he was on. Even in the game (Sunday)," Golden said. "Big play there. (He had) another red-zone stop fitting off of Cam Sample on the crack toss. Just showing up, being physical, was getting better at coverage. I love the trend that he was on, and quite frankly, I'm sad that we don't have a chance to continue to develop him."

Sophomore Josh Newton is the leading contender to take over after he made his first six starts at the end of last season in place of the injured DJ Turner II. Newton has made two starts this year. He started in Turner's place in the opener, and when Taylor-Britt was benched two weeks later he started again. Golden says they'll also look at veterans like Marco Wilson, limited to three games this season and a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh, and nickel cornerback Jalen Davis on the practice squad.

Sample, a defensive lineman, played just nine snaps Sunday after injuring his oblique, and Taylor says he's day-to-day.

Taylor also says NFL sack champ Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) is doubtful again after he missed the last two games.

He also said quarterback Joe Flacco (shoulder) is OK after taking a massive fall on his AC joint courtesy of the Steelers' T.J. Watt early in the second quarter.

Burrow Update

Quarterback Joe Burrow could be back to team drills as early as Wednesday.

"The starting point is, he did 7-on-7 last week, came out of the week feeling good, and so then this week, the plan will be, let's get to Wednesday and see if we can work in some 11-on-11 and go from there," Taylor said.

"That's getting bodies around him, seeing how he feels, seeing how he moves. And so until we've done any of that, there's no reason for me to speculate on where it's going to be."

With the Bengals at 3-7, it doesn't look like the record matters. It looks like he's coming back.

"I think right now, he's of the mindset that he wants to play football for us," Taylor said. "We'll just continue to get through his rehab progression and see where that ends up before we make any decision on how we want to proceed."