Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Trayveon Williams led the way in the preseason loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He didn't do much in Cincinnati's first two exhibitions. However, the 26-year-old finished Thursday's contest by totaling a game-high 66 rushing yards off 11 carries, adding five catches for 11 yards. Williams, the No. 182 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, has spent his entire career with the Bengals. Yet, he's been limited to only 62 touches in 40 career games. With Williams behind Zack Moss and Chase Brown on the depth chart, his workload isn't expected to increase this season. As a result, managers won't look in his direction in most fantasy drafts, although there is streaming potential if Moss or Brown get hurt. The Bengals will begin the 2024-25 campaign with a Week 1 visit from the New England Patriots.

Extension talks between the Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase have been "mysterious," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This situation is particularly unique because, as Schefter notes, Chase still has two years left on his current contract. That's what makes these negotiations different from those between the Dallas Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, as well as the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk. The Bengals are reportedly willing to strike a deal with Chase before the season, but Week 1 isn't a firm deadline in the team's eyes. On the other hand, Schefter highlighted recent comments from former NFL receiver Chad Johnson who believes that the two sides are making progress, but Chase might be inclined to hold out if he doesn't have a deal by the start of the season. As of now, the chances of that happening are slim, but should he miss time, Tee Higgins would be the Bengals' top receiver and a borderline WR1 in fantasy football. Fantasy managers must continue to monitor this situation in hopes of gaining more clarity before the regular season kicks off next month.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase returned to training camp practice on Monday. Due to an ongoing contract dispute with the team, Chase has been present at camp but hasn't been participating in on-field workouts. The 24-year-old star pass-catcher also hasn't seen any preseason action during his hold-in. It remains to be seen if the two sides can work out a long-term contract extension before Week 1 rolls around, but even if they don't, Chase profiles as an elite top-five fantasy wideout with quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) back to full health after a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has all kinds of chemistry with Burrow, dating back to their college days, and has been a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, racking up 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns on 268 receptions.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there hasn't been much talk between Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and the team regarding a new contract. Chase, who has a base salary of $1.1 million for the 2024-25 campaign and a $21.8 million team option for 2025-26, has been with the Bengals at training camp. However, he hasn't been participating. Without question, Chase is a top wideout in the National Football League, recently finishing the 2023-24 season by catching a career-high 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. Yet, with other top wideouts getting big money, Chase wants to be paid sooner rather than later. There haven't been any updates on whether the contract situation will keep him off the field. But Chase's fantasy value will dip if he doesn't start practicing soon.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson was the team's only source of offense during Saturday's preseason loss to Chicago. The 25-year-old began the preseason by missing a kick in the Bengals' first preseason game versus the Bucs. However, he got it together on Saturday, nailing a 54-yard attempt. McPherson, who recently agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension, was at his best as a rookie. But if the Bengals offense can return to form, he'll have plenty of chances to make a difference for fantasy managers.