Aug 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) stands on the field during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
With the Bengals’ season opener approaching on Sunday, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase did not practice Monday and is listed as day-to-day, according to Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor.
During the portion of practice open to the media, Chase was seen exchanging balls during a drill with assistant coaches while also standing with his fellow receivers as they stretched.
“There are always injuries and things to deal with, so we’ll adapt to it,” Taylor said.
Taylor declined to say how much the three-time Pro Bowl selection might play Sunday against the visiting New England Patriots.
“It’s impossible for me to say with 100 percent conviction, but I feel good about the shape he’s in,” the sixth-year coach said.
Chase, 24, is seeking a contract extension similar to that of former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who reset the market with a four-year, $140 million deal ($35 million per season) that dwarfs the $32 million per year that Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown receives.
Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year contract worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions, and the Cowboys finally paid the asking price for CeeDee Lamb (four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed) last week to end their off-season lockout.
Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He is scheduled to play out the final year of his four-year rookie contract (with a base salary of $1.055 million) and has a fifth-year team option worth $21.8 million for 2025.
Teammate Tee Higgins is serving out the franchise tag on his deal after the Bengals allowed his contract to expire and then tagged him in March.
Chase, the fifth pick in the 2021 draft, has 268 receptions for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns in 45 games with Cincinnati.
–Field level media
