Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is still not practicing. He has not practiced to start training camp, and the Bengals have not publicly justified his lack of participation. The Bengals star wideout is conducting his own "hold-in." Chase is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal, and the Bengals have already picked up his fifth-year option. Generally, players in his position will receive an extension after their fourth season. For now, there does not appear to be any animosity between Chase and the Bengals, but this situation will be essential to monitor. Chase caught a career-high 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023. The mid-season wrist injury to quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) derailed Chase's fantasy season. He will look to bounce back in 2024, and you should feel comfortable with him as your WR1.

The Chicago Bears signed running back Demetric Felton to a contract on Sunday. Felton, a former sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2021 out of UCLA, has appeared in 24 games since his debut and has accumulated 209 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 28 touches. This signing likely aims to bolster the running back depth ahead of Thursday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, especially since Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler were injured in Saturday's practice. To make room for Felton, the Bears granted an international roster exemption to punter Tory Taylor, who does not count against the 90-man roster limit. This exemption will not affect the 53-man roster limit, which will come into play when the Bears make final roster cuts.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has missed his fourth consecutive practice and has yet to participate in 2024 training camp. Instead of a traditional "hold out," Chase is engaging in a "hold in," as he needed to report to camp on time to complete an entire season under his rookie contract. Although he is present at camp, he is not participating in drills while negotiating a new deal following this offseason's surge in receiver salaries, highlighted by Justin Jefferson's record-setting $35 million per year contract. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has stated that the situation aligns with their plan and that he and Chase are on the same page. Chase will earn under $5 million this season and approximately $21 million on his fifth-year option next year. As long as Chase stays in shape, maintains his conditioning, and has sufficient time to prepare for the regular season, his current absence from practice should not significantly impact his performance or the team. Despite the hold-in, Chase remains a surefire first-round pick and is currently going around the sixth pick in recent NFFC drafts.