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Bengals coach uncertain about WR Ja’Marr Chase’s availability for Week 1
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    Bengals coach uncertain about WR Ja’Marr Chase’s availability for Week 1

    It seems Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor may have spoken a little too soon when he said star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase would be back at practice this week.

    Chase, who is looking for a new contract, didn’t practise on Wednesday, instead arriving in street clothes.

    “I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly,” Taylor told reporters Wednesday. “Again, this is a day-to-day situation. We’ll just keep seeing it as that.”

    The 24-year-old Chase is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option in April.

    Chase, who was a teammate of Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow at LSU in 2019, has 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the team in each category in each of the past three seasons.

    Last season, Chase had a career-high 100 receptions, tying for the second most in a season in team history, for 1,216 yards and seven TDs.

    The Bengals open the season on Sept. 8 against the New England Patriots.

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    Taylor seemed confident Chase would play in Week 1 once he spoke on Tuesday, but changed his tune Wednesday.

    “I think every day is a new day,” Taylor told reporters Wednesday. “We’ll keep working through it. Not going to make predictions on what tomorrow brings.”

    Taylor did say that Chase could still suit up against the Patriots even he didn’t practice at all this week.

    It has been reported that Chase is seeking a deal that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the league. Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson currently makes the most at $35 million per season.

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    The Cincinnati Bengals are facing uncertainty regarding the availability of star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for their Week 1 matchup. Chase, who was the team’s first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been dealing with a minor injury that has kept him sidelined during training camp.

    Head coach Zac Taylor has expressed concern over Chase’s status for the season opener, stating that the team is taking a cautious approach with the talented rookie. While Chase has been able to participate in some individual drills, he has yet to fully participate in team practices.

    Chase’s absence from practice has raised questions about his readiness for the regular season, as he will need to develop chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow in order to be effective on the field. The Bengals are hopeful that Chase will be able to return to full practice soon, but his availability for Week 1 remains uncertain.

    If Chase is unable to play in the season opener, it would be a significant blow to the Bengals’ offense, as he is expected to be a key contributor in their passing game. However, Taylor and the coaching staff are confident in the depth of their receiving corps and believe that they have the talent to overcome any potential setbacks.

    As the Bengals continue to monitor Chase’s progress, fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his status leading up to Week 1. In the meantime, the team will be preparing for their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings with or without their star rookie receiver.