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 wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase continued his holdout in pursuit of a new contract as he did not take part in the team’s first practice in Week 1.
The Bengals are set to open their season at home against the New England Patriots, but there are doubts over whether or not Chase will be taking part in that game.
On Monday, Chase was seen helping out in wide receiver drills – but not actually taking part in them.
He hasn’t practiced since before the roster cuts took place last week as the 2021 first-round pick enters the final year of his contract.
When asked by reporters if he expects Chase to play on Sunday afternoon, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, ‘We’ll just take it day to day.’
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase continued his holdout by not practicing on Monday
Chase, seen at practice in June, is hoping to be one of the highest paid receivers in the NFL
Taylor added that he feels the wideout would be in good enough shape to play despite not practicing.
‘It’s impossible for me to say with 100 percent conviction, but I feel good about the shape that he’s in,’ Taylor said.
Even if Chase doesn’t play, the Bengals are still expected to blow the Patriots out and Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow has plenty of weapons to throw to.
That includes consensus ‘wide receiver two’ Tee Higgins, Charlie Jones, and rookie Jermaine Burton among others.
Chase is looking for a huge contract at the right time after a summer full of deals essentially re-set the wide receiver market.
That includes a four-year, $140m deal for Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, a four-year, $136m contract for Dallas Cowboys pass catcher CeeDee Lamb, and a four-year, $120m agreement for San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk that was just signed last Thursday.
