Bengals’ Chase banned and will miss out on $448,333 in pay for spitting on Jalen Ramsey | NFL

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been suspended without pay for one game for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Chase spat on Ramsey during a confrontation in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Ramsey grabbed Chase by the mask and punched him in retaliation, resulting in Ramsey being kicked out. Officials, who said after the game that they did not see Ramsey spit, took no action against the catcher at that time.

The NFL said Chase was sanctioned under a rule that applies to “any act contrary to the generally recognized principles of sportsmanship.”

After Sunday’s game, which the Bengals lost 34-12, Chase denied spitting on Ramsey. But a Cincinnati television station had video of the incident. Chase did not speak to reporters in the Bengals locker room Monday.

Chase will miss the Bengals’ home game against New England this weekend. He has the right to appeal the suspension. Cincinnati is 3-7 and has lost three straight games. According to the NFL Players Association database, Chase will be stripped of at least $448,333.33 in base salary due to the suspension.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said before the league announced the suspension that he spoke to Chase about the incident.

“It’s like we’re trying to make something out of this situation. That’s the one thing that’s kind of upset me as I’m sitting here,” Taylor said. “For a guy who’s done everything we can to build our organization, he’s been great. Not perfect. I’m not perfect. Believe me, I made a lot of mistakes yesterday. [that] people don’t see the camera. Unfortunately, that was the case. He’s going to have to admit it. This will be part of his journey.

This is the second time this season that the league has punished a player for spitting. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was initially suspended one game for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the season opener. Carter ultimately lost his Week 1 game check worth $57,222 and avoided missing further games because the ejection occurred early in the game and the league applied it to time served.