Ja'Marr Chase Questionable To Play With An Illness
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (illness, holdout) is questionable to play on Sunday against the New England Patriots. The superstar wide receiver was already questionable to play after barely practicing this week because of contract negotiations. Unfortunately, it feels like Chase is trending towards not playing in Week 1, leaving the Bengals with limited options at wide receiver. Tee Higgins (hamstring) isn't expected to play against the Patriots, meaning Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton will likely get the start. Fantasy managers with quartrback Joe Burrow on their roster should consider other options in Week 1, including adding Justin Fields off the waiver wire with Russell Wilson (calf) questionable to suit up against the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Chase will be on a snap count if he plays, giving him bust potential as a high-end WR1.
Ja'Marr Chase Questionable For Matchup Against New England
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is questionable to play against the New England Patriots due to ongoing contract disputes. Speaking to reporters after practice, Chase said he'd play without his sought-after extension but he feels a deal is close. Coach Zac Taylor said "We'll see" in regards to his star receiver suiting up. Chase sat out of training camp and admitted that he'll be limited if he is active on Sunday. The Bengals' number two receiver, Tee Higgins, is listed as doubtful after tweaking his hamstring in practice. A lack of top options could spell trouble for Joe Burrow's Week 1 projections, but it will mean more opportunities for WR Andrei Iosivas and TE Mike Gesicki. Chase is still a WR1 if he's active but fantasy managers should temper expectations.
Ja'Marr Chase Thinks Extension Is Within Reach; Willing To Play Without A New Deal
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been in the headlines often in the lead-up to Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the New England Patriots, mainly because of his high-profile contract stand-off with the team. Chase said that Friday is his deadline for a long-term contract extension to be completed, but he also things a deal is within striking distance. Even if a new deal isn't reached by Friday, the All-Pro pass-catcher said he'd be willing to play in 2024. In terms of whether he'll play this weekend in the season opener, though, Chase has labeled himself a "game-time decision" and said he'd likely be limited if he does suit up. Not only does this make Chase a much more shaky WR1 in fantasy in Week 1, but it puts a dark cloud over the entire Cincy offense with wideout Tee Higgins (hamstring) also looking potentially questionable to play. We may not have a clear picture on Chase's and Higgins' availability until Sunday morning.
Ja'Marr Chase Considers Himself A Game-Time Decision For Sunday
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (holdout) told the media on Friday that he considers himself a game-time decision for Sunday and will be "limited" if he does play, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Enquirer. Chase returned to practice on Wednesday after being held out of practice due to contract negotiations. While it is a promising sign to have seen Chase at practice over the past three days, he still considers himself a game-time call before Sunday's season opener. Fantasy managers should continue paying close attention to updates regarding the 24-year-old's status. Earlier on Friday, the No.2 receiver, Tee Higgins (hamstring), was not seen at practice. If both Chase and Higgins happen to suit up against the New England Patriots over the weekend, fantasy managers could expect both to play in a limited capacity, which may open more targets for Andrei Iosivas. However, no matter his capacity, Chase should be locked into all lineups if he plays.
Ja'Marr Chase At Practice On Friday, Tee Higgins Sitting Out
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was spotted at practice on Friday ahead of the team's Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. Despite his lengthy training camp hold-in, Chase appears on track to play Sunday. However, Tee Higgins showed up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury. After being a limited participant on Thursday, Higgins wasn't out on the field at the start of Friday's practice. Going from a limited participant to a non-participant this late in the week likely means he won't play on Sunday. Jermaine Burton and Andrei Iosivas would benefit if Higgins misses Sunday's contest.
Although there is no official resolution between the Cincinnati Bengals and star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on a long-term contract extension, he is expected to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the New England Patriots after putting in two limited practice sessions so far this week. For what it's worth, quarterback Joe Burrow said that Chase will be ready to go this weekend. The Bengals and Chase have been deep in contract negotiations for around the last month, but it remains unclear if they will be able to work something out before Sunday. The 24-year-old was a top-10 fantasy selection in drafts and should be locked into all starting lineups against the Patriots, although there is clear bust potential here for him just because of the fact that he practiced with the team only twice before this week.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was fully dressed and back on the practice field on Thursday leading up to the Week 1 matchup against the New England Patriots. The former first-round pick has been seeking a new contract that would potentially make him the highest-paid wideout in the league, and there has been speculation that he could sit out games if he doesn't reach an extension before the start of the regular season. While his second consecutive day of practice doesn't put those concerns to rest, it certainly doesn't hurt his chances of suiting up. Surely, there will be more updates before Sunday, but if he's active, he's a clear must-start option in leagues of all shapes and sizes. The 24-year-old has WR1 overall upside in any given matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (rest) was officially listed as limited on Wednesday in the team's first official practice of the 2024 season. Before Wednesday, the All-Pro wideout had taken part in only two closed practices during the offseason amid negotiations over a long-term contract extension with the team. Chase's return to practice doesn't guarantee anything in regards to his playing status in Week 1 on Sunday against the New England Patriots or beyond, but it's an encouraging step and opens the door for him to play a full season whether he reaches an extension or not. The Bengals staff has plans in place to execute a game plan on Sunday with or without Chase. The 24-year-old is a must-start in redraft leagues if he's active, but a bigger concern is his physical conditioning and the possibility of a soft-tissue injury if he plays.
Ja'Marr Chase In Practice Uniform Amid Contract Dispute
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was spotted in uniform walking into Wednesday's practice as his high-profile contract extension discussions continue. The multi-time Pro Bowler has been at the team facility but not participating in practices while he searches for a new deal. According to reports, Chase was part of the team meeting to prepare for the New England Patriots. These are important steps toward his availability on Sunday, but it's worth monitoring Chase's involvement during practice today and the rest of the week. Chase is a must-start WR1 for fantasy football if he's active on Sunday.
Wednesday Is Big Day For Ja'Marr Chase Contract Watch
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase could need to practice on Wednesday in order to play on Sunday, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Chase is still without a new deal as of Wednesday morning, and Wednesday is a big day in the contract negotiations in relation to Chase's availability for Week 1, according to Russini's report. Chase is a long-time Bengal and has a long-standing connection with quarterback Joe Burrow, so he could get by with less practice time than others, but Russini believes a Wednesday practice could be a key sign whether or not Chase will be on the field for the Bengals against the Patriots on Sunday. Chase is a must-start as a WR1 in fantasy any time he is on the field.
