Cincinnati Bengals Receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s Availability Uncertain Before Season Opener

The Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, is facing uncertainty just a week before the season opener. Coach Zac Taylor has stated that Chase is still day-to-day and has not been practicing as he awaits the status of his contract extension. With the team’s last practice before the official game week starting, there is a sense of contingency planning in place to deal with the situation surrounding the three-time Pro Bowler.

During Monday’s practice, which was open to the media, Chase seemed more involved than in recent days. He was seen standing with the receivers during the stretching period and even helping out assistant coaches by shagging balls. However, due to the lack of practice reps leading up to the game, Taylor refrained from speculating on the amount of playing time Chase might see on Sunday. Despite this, Taylor expressed confidence in Chase’s physical readiness, stating, “I feel good about the shape that he’s in.”

In addition to the uncertainty surrounding Chase, Coach Taylor announced that cornerback Dax Hill and right tackle Trent Brown will start against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Hill, who was the team’s starting free safety last season, managed to secure the starting position over DJ Turner. On the other hand, Brown will be starting in place of rookie Amarius Mims, the team’s first-round pick, who is recovering from a pectoral injury. Taylor indicated that Mims missing practice on Monday would hinder his ability to start, but he expressed confidence in Brown’s capabilities, stating that the veteran had done a commendable job taking care of himself during training camp.

By looking at the uncertainty surrounding Ja’Marr Chase’s availability and the developments in the Bengals’ lineup for the upcoming game, it is evident that the team is facing challenges early in the season. However, with contingency plans in place and confidence in the abilities of the players stepping up, the Bengals are preparing to face the New England Patriots with determination and resolve. Only time will tell how these uncertainties will affect the team’s performance on the field.