Ja’Marr Chase returned to practice with the Cincinnati Bengals today although it does not necessarily mean the star wide receiver will be part of the roster for the Week 1 clash with the New England Patriots.
Chase has not suited up for the last three practices but took part in the section of Wednesday’s session open to the media, doing individual drills with fellow WR Tee Higgins.
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The 24-year-old is currently in negotiations over a contract extension with the Bengals which has led to him not taking part in training camp.
Sources told ESPN that he held meetings with the team before practice today.
NFL policy dictates Chase will have to speak to the media at some point this week. He has not been interviewed since his hold-in began.
Going through the motions. pic.twitter.com/cZ8CHamUva
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 4, 2024
The Bengals remain relaxed about Chase’s participation at the weekend with OC Dan Pitcher saying: “I think we have a great degree of flexibility and fluidity about how we prepare.
“We’ve been together as coaches and players for a long time, so there are things that come up from time to time that might make the schedule from one week to another different. We’ve dealt with those things before, so it really doesn’t concern us.”
Chase’s lack of physical contact since the end of last season is an obvious hurdle to overcome if he declares himself available for Sunday but Pitcher is confident it won’t be a major issue.
He added: “I think he’s undertaken actions to help him play when he plays. And I’m not concerned about his level of play when we have him.”
