Even the most carefully laid plans can be disrupted, as demonstrated by recent developments with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Just a day after Bengals coach Zac Taylor assured reporters that Chase would be practicing this week, the star wide receiver was absent from Wednesday’s practice. Taylor’s initial optimism regarding Chase’s participation now seems premature, as the wide receiver’s status remains uncertain.
Taylor admitted he may have spoken too soon about Chase’s readiness. He described the situation as “day-to-day” and acknowledged his previous comments might have been overly optimistic. Chase, who was seen earlier in the week participating in lighter drills, did not join the full practice session on Wednesday and was spotted entering the team’s indoor practice facility not in uniform. Chase did not address the media following his appearance.
Despite the uncertainty, Taylor reassured that Chase remains healthy, as the player has consistently asserted since the team’s mandatory minicamp in July. Chase, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is still under his rookie contract with two years remaining, including a fifth-year option valued at $21.8 million for 2025. The situation raises concerns about his readiness for the season opener.
Taylor’s confidence that Chase could still play in the opener against the New England Patriots on September 8 remains, but he refrained from making any definitive predictions. He emphasized that each day brings new developments and that the team would continue to assess Chase’s situation on a daily basis. Taylor’s earlier statements about Chase’s participation were tempered by this more cautious approach.
Bengals center Ted Karras expressed understanding regarding the complexities of Chase’s contract negotiations. Chase is seeking a deal comparable to the market-setting contract of Justin Jefferson from the Minnesota Vikings. Karras noted there are no hard feelings among the players and expressed hope that the negotiations will resolve favorably for both Chase and the team, recognizing the significance of such a deal.
