Ja’Marr Chase's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is at practice on Thursday, but he's not participating in the session. Chase is looking for a contract extension with the Bengals, and the two sides have about a week and a half to reach some sort of settlement before the regular-season opener against the New England Patriots rolls around on Sept. 8. The 24-year-old three-time Pro Bowler should not be moved in rankings by fantasy managers at this time, as this situation doesn't yet look nearly as messy as the impasse between Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. For any time Chase continues to sit out, Tee Higgins will serve as Cincinnati's WR1 at practice, and he would obviously see a surge in fantasy value if Chase unexpectedly extends his absence into Week 1.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor admitted he may have been premature in his comments about wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's status, stating that Chase is now considered day-to-day. Taylor acknowledged he "spoke too quickly" on Tuesday regarding Chase's availability and expressed hope that Chase will return "hopefully at some point soon." Despite Taylor's earlier statement that Chase would practice this week, the star wide receiver did not participate in Wednesday's session as the team prepared for its season opener. Chase has essentially been "holding in" throughout the preseason as he seeks a better contract than the $1.1 million he's set to earn in 2024. However, his salary will increase to over $21 million in 2025 due to the Bengals picking up his fifth-year option in April. Taylor also mentioned he expects Chase to play in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, but the final outcome remains uncertain with the situation evolving rapidly.

It doesn't look like Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is practicing on Wednesday. After head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday that Chase was going to continue to practice amid ongoing contract negotiations with the Bengals, the wideout got to practice 13 minutes after it has started in street clothes. Taylor also said Tuesday that he expects Chase to suit up for Cincinnati's regular-season opener against the visiting New England Patriots on Sept. 8 at Paycor Stadium, so fantasy managers shouldn't be moving the 24-year-old All-Pro around in their first-round rankings for the final week of drafts. Despite missing star quarterback Joe Burrow for half of the season last year, Chase put up a career-high 100 receptions (145 targets) in 16 appearances.UPDATE: "I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly," Taylor said. "Again, this is a day-to-day situation. We'll just keep seeing it as that."

The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase are still in contract negotiations, and if the two sides reach a new deal, it could make him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the contract talks are centered around reaching a deal that matches or surpasses Chase's former college teammate, Justin Jefferson. The Vikings All-Pro signed a four-year, $140 million extension this offseason, so that's the ballpark Chase is reportedly looking to be in. The good news is head coach Zac Taylor said he feels confident that Chase will play in Week 1, so fantasy managers can continue to consider him in the top five of fantasy drafts in all scoring formats. Despite playing with an injured quarterback Joe Burrow or backup Jake Browning last year, Chase tallied 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. If Burrow is at full health in 2024, the superstar wideout could be in contention to finish as the overall WR1.

When asked if he was confident that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will play in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season, head coach Zac Taylor said, "Yes." Chase has been holding in at training camp this summer due to a contract dispute with the team before taking part in practice for the first time this past Sunday. The two sides still have a bit of time before the start of the regular season to work out a long-term contract extension, but even if they don't, it sounds like the 24-year-old isn't thinking about an in-season holdout. It's good news for fantasy managers that have already taken Chase in the first round of their drafts as their WR1. Contract issues aside, the former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has excellent chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow and has one of the highest ceilings of any pass-catcher in the league. He's totaled 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns on 268 catches in his three seasons so far.