CINCINNATI — With less than a week to go before the season opener, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s status remains uncertain.
Head coach Zac Taylor described Chase as day-to-day, noting that the star receiver has yet to practice while awaiting the outcome of his contract extension negotiations. Monday marked the last practice before the team officially begins game preparations.
Taylor acknowledged that the team has contingency plans in place to handle the situation if Chase isn’t ready to go.
“Injuries and unexpected situations happen, so we’ll adapt to whatever comes our way with him,” Taylor said.
During Monday’s practice, Chase was more involved than he had been recently. He spent time with the receivers during the stretching period and assisted coaches Troy Walters and Fredi Knighten by shagging balls, even though he didn’t fully participate.
Taylor avoided making any firm predictions about how much Chase could play on Sunday given his limited practice time but expressed confidence in Chase’s readiness.
“I can’t say for sure, but I feel good about the shape he’s in,” Taylor said.
In other updates, Taylor announced that cornerback Dax Hill and right tackle Trent Brown will start in Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Hill, who started as the team’s free safety last season, has earned the starting cornerback spot over DJ Turner. Meanwhile, Brown, an eight-year veteran, will start at right tackle over rookie Amarius Mims, who is still recovering from a pectoral injury sustained early in the preseason.
Taylor explained that it would be risky to start Mims since he didn’t practice on Monday, but he’s confident in Brown’s ability to step up, especially against his former team.
“He’s a pro,” Taylor said of Brown, who spent the last three years with the Patriots. “He’s taken great care of himself this training camp. I’m excited to see him in action.”
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