Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was present at practice for the second consecutive day but did not participate. On Thursday, Chase arrived 17 minutes late, wearing street clothes. Coach Zac Taylor noted that Chase has been involved in every team meeting and is very knowledgeable about the system.
An interesting moment occurred during practice when Bengals owner Mike Brown drove his golf cart close to Chase, but they did not appear to engage in conversation. Taylor highlighted the team’s offensive depth, stating that the current roster offers unique skill sets, contributing to the team’s past successes.
Chase, who has been seeking a contract extension to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, returned to practice for the first time since being sidelined during training camp. Earlier in the week, Taylor expressed optimism about Chase’s availability for the upcoming season opener against the New England Patriots on September 8. However, after Chase missed practice on Wednesday, Taylor adopted a more cautious approach regarding Chase’s status.
Despite being out, Taylor confirmed that Chase is fully healthy and well-prepared for the season, emphasizing that he has a solid grasp of the team’s system after three years with the Bengals. Chase remains under contract for two additional seasons, following the team’s exercise of his fifth-year option for 2025.