1 of 5 | Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) watches as wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) push each other Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Week 11’s Ja’Marr Chase-Jalen Ramsey scuffle is under review, an NFL spokesman told UPI on Monday. Video evidence could lead to a suspension.
The incident occurred about two minutes into the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 34-12 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Ramsey and Chase were assessed with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Officials also ejected Ramsey for punching Chase.
Ramsey told reporters after the game that Chase spit on him, resulting in the punch. Chase said he went “back and forth” with Ramsey, but denied spitting on the veteran cornerback. Video later emerged on social media, showing spit flying from under Chase’s face mask as he confronted Ramsey.
“He spit on me, so it’s up,” Ramsey told reporters, when asked about Chase. “I don’t give a [expletive] about football after that, respectfully.”
Field-level view of the second altercation between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey. Chase said "I didn't spit on nobody."
The video clearly shows he did.#Bengals @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/ooGzInoPdS— Austin Briski (@austin_briski) November 16, 2025
Referee Bill Vinovich said in a pool report that officials did not see Chase spit on Ramsey.
The NFL rulebook does not specifically address spitting, but the league suspended Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter for one game for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1.
The NFL allowed Carter, who spit on Prescott before the first snap of that contest and was disqualified, to serve that suspension retroactively. Carter also forfeited a game check.
Chase totaled three catches for 30 yards Sunday. Ramsey logged four combined tackles. The Steelers edged the Bengals 343-297 in total yards and forced two turnovers in the AFC North triumph.
Chase, who signed a $161 million contract extension with the Bengals in Mach, has totaled a league-high 79 catches for 61 yards and five touchdowns through his first 10 starts this season.
Ramsey, who joined the Steelers in June through a trade with the Miami Dolphins, has totaled 47 combined tackles, six passes defensed, two sacks and an interception through his first 10 starts.
The Steelers (6-4) will play the Chicago Bears (7-3) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in Chicago. The Bengals (3-7) will host the New England Patriots (9-2) at the same time Sunday in Cincinnati.
