Ja’Marr Chase holds out of Bengals’ first practice of Week 1… putting his status for season opener against the Patriots in doubt
Cincinnati Bengals star forward Ja’Marr Chase continued to refuse to sign a new contract, as he did not participate in the team’s first practice of Week 1.
The Bengals open their season at home against the New England Patriots, but there are doubts whether Chase will play in that game.
On Monday, Chase helped with wide receiver drills, but he did not participate himself.
He has not practiced since last week, when the roster was trimmed. The first-round pick in the 2021 draft is now entering the final year of his contract.
When asked by reporters if he expects Chase to play Sunday afternoon, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, “We’re just taking it day by day.”
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase continued his postponement by not practicing Monday
Chase, seen during practice in June, hopes to become one of the highest paid receivers in the NFL
Taylor added that he thinks the wideout is in good enough shape to play despite not practicing.
“I can’t possibly say with 100 percent certainty, but I feel good about the form he’s in,” Taylor said.
Even if Chase doesn’t play, the Bengals are still expected to easily defeat the Patriots, and Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow has plenty of weapons to throw to.
These include consensus wide receiver two Tee Higgins, Charlie Jones and rookie Jermaine Burton.
Chase is looking for a big contract at the right time, after a summer of deals that essentially changed the market for wide receivers.
That includes a four-year, $140 million contract for Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, a four-year, $136 million contract for Dallas Cowboys pass catcher CeeDee Lamb and a four-year, $120 million contract for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, which was signed last Thursday.