Cincinnati Bengals

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.

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.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is listed as the team's primary kick returner heading into the 2024 season. This update coincides with the news that Brown ranks second on the running back depth chart behind Zack Moss. As it stands, Brown may have a slightly smaller role than many managers anticipated; we may see the two of them receive more of a defined starter and backup workload rather than a true 50/50 split. This means that Brown will still get involved out of the backfield, but he's likely headed for fewer opportunities than Moss while also playing a role on special teams. As a result, Brown is difficult to trust in fantasy lineups for Week 1 against the Patriots. He ranks outside the top 36 running backs while Moss is a low-end RB2.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown is listed as the RB2 behind Zack Moss on the team's first official depth chart. Brown has been a popular fantasy sleeper this offseason, and while it would be ideal for him to be listed as the Week 1 starter, it doesn't change his potential outlook. Although the Bengals utilized Joe Mixon as a workhorse over the last few seasons, this backfield could shift to a committee approach following his departure. Brown averaged 11.1 yards per reception in a small sample size last year, and he is more explosive than Moss. For Week 1 against the New England Patriots, Brown is a risky flex option in PPR setups, but we'll know more about how the Bengals will split up the workload heading into Week 2.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (hold-in) is not practicing with the team to begin Week 1 preparation ahead of Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots. Chase is seeking a new contract, and it's rumored that he wants to be the highest-paid wideout in the NFL. Former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, so that could be the starting point for Chase's camp. When asked about Chase's Week 1 availability, head coach Zac Taylor was non-committal, saying "We'll just take it day by day." This is a concern for fantasy managers who have selected Chase in the early first round, so hopefully, this situation will be resolved in the coming days. If Chase is active and playing in Week 1, he should be locked into all fantasy lineups, even if he's at risk of getting out to a slow start. The 24-year-old has overall WR1 upside in all matchups. If he surprisingly doesn't suit up, Tee Higgins will become a must-start option in all leagues, while second-year pass-catcher Andrei Iosivas could have flex value.