Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Practices Again, but Will He Sign? And if Not, Will He Play?

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase practiced on back-to-back days, tying his season high.

Chase was back on the field today after his ballyhooed return to the field Wednesday, as the team goes through its preparations for Sunday’s season opener against the New England Patriots.

But while the Chase practice watch has come to an end, the Chase contract watch continues with less than 72 hours remaining before the unofficial deadline to get it done.

Practice Watch Is Over, but Contract Watch Continues for Cincinnati Bengals Star Ja’Marr Chase

There is no rule about negotiating extensions after the start of the season, but it’s been a long-held policy by the franchise.

Chase declined to join the rest of his teammates for the voluntary portion of the offseason, and while he showed up for mandatory minicamp, he didn’t participate.

The hold-in continued through training camp, with Chase present on the field for every practice except one but never participating.

After camp ended, the team held two lighter workouts that weren’t open to the media, and Chase participated in those, with the team offering photographic proof on its social media channels.

One rep at a time.

📸: https://t.co/jsfUsfbUzf pic.twitter.com/GH2esOwei0

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 25, 2024

But when regular practices resumed and were open to the media — one day after head coach Zac Taylor said he was confident Chase would continue to practice and play in the season opener — the receiver not only sat out again but showed up after each of last week’s practices had begun.

Is Chase practicing because he always planned to play, with or without a new contract?

Or is Chase practicing as a good-faith gesture because the two sides are getting close to agreeing on a deal that would pay him close to — or perhaps more than — what former teammate Justin Jefferson is getting?

(The Minnesota Vikings star signed the largest non-quarterback deal in NFL history with a four-year, $140 million extension that included $89 million fully guaranteed.)

Last year, the Bengals took their negotiations with Joe Burrow to within 65 hours of the season opener in Cleveland, announcing the deal just as the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions were kicking off the Thursday night NFL opener.

In 2015, Cincinnati went deeper into the count, locking up A.J. Green about an hour before the team boarded the plane to Oakland for the season opener.

That situation was different because Green was heading into his fifth-year option, and it was the Bengals with their backs against the wall. The last thing they wanted was for Green to play out the season and have a chance to walk in free agency.

Regardless of whether a deal is reached, it appears Chase is on track to play, especially with Burrow labeling him “good to go.”

Going through the motions. pic.twitter.com/cZ8CHamUva

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 4, 2024

Among the other players whose status could be in doubt, rookie first-round offensive tackle Amarius Mims and rookie second-round defensive tackle Kris Jenkins both practiced again after being listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report.

Mims is dealing with a pectoral injury suffered in the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter

He continues to be limited in position drills, not taking part in any that involve hitting the blocking sled.

Jenkins had a splint on his thumb/wrist area after practice yesterday, and today, his whole right hand was wrapped and looked like a club.

The official injury report is expected to come out after 4 p.m.