Tag: Chase

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) walk to the practice field, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Cincinnati.

Daily drama continues with Bengals’ star receivers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Just when the Cincinnati Bengals thought their wide receiver room was fully intact again, Tee Higgins pulled up lame.

Higgins, playing this season on the franchise tag, “tweaked his hamstring” on Thursday and did not practice on Friday, head coach Zac Taylor said.

Meanwhile wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who finally returned to practice this week, called himself a “game-time decision” ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the visiting New England Patriots.

Chase told reporters Friday he would consider playing without a new contract, but that he would likely be “limited” if he takes the field.

“I’m confident it’ll get done,” Chase said of his ongoing negotiations for an extension. “I know my worth. They know my worth.”

A reporter asked Chase about reports he is seeking one penny more than Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension.

“If I want to beat Justin Jefferson, I’m going to beat the (expletive) out of Justin,” Chase answered. “Not by a penny, brother.”

The Bengals had both of their star wideouts on the field together for just two practices — Wednesday and Thursday — because of Chase’s contract dispute.

While Higgins signed his franchise tender in July and participated in training camp, Chase isn’t pleased to be playing the 2024 season at a base salary just over $1 million.

Higgins said “I feel great” when asked about his hamstring injury and appearance on the injury report on Thursday. He went as far as to rate his condition as “the best I’ve felt heading into Week 1” in his career.

Hamstring injuries are not new and Higgins has been listed on the injury report at least one game at some point every season because of it.

Taylor was not ready to declare Higgins available for Sunday’s game.

“We’ll see,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the other injury development since Wednesday was defensive tackle Kris Jenkins undergoing thumb surgery. Jenkins is out but will be reevaluated before Week 2.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) talks with head coach Zac Taylor on the sideline during a preseason training camp practice at the Paycor Stadium practice field in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.

Warning sign: WR Ja’Marr Chase resumes hold-in at Bengals practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase arrived nearly 15 minutes late for practice on Wednesday wearing street clothes and stirring doubt over his willingness to play in the Week 1 opener in 10 days.

Chase observed practice one day after head coach Zac Taylor provided a confident “yes” to a question about whether Chase would suit up when Cincinnati welcomes the New England Patriots to begin the regular season on Sept. 8.

“It’s been good just to have our full complement of weapons out there,” Taylor said on Tuesday’s Zoom call with media. “I think it gives you the visual of what it’s going to look and feel like for us. It’s been good to get him back in the mix the last couple of days. He’s looked great. Same Ja’Marr I’m used to. The plan will be to continue to practice with him.”

But Chase apparently shifted gears overnight, a potential signal of challenges in contract talks with the team. Owner Mike Brown said in training camp that signing Chase would be a priority, but he remained committed at that time to a franchise-held position not to negotiate during the season. Unless Brown and the Bengals — or Chase — are ready to budge, the clock is ticking.

“I think everyday is a new day,” Taylor said Wednesday. “We’ll keep working through it. I’m not going to make predictions on what tomorrow brings. At the end of the day, Ja’Marr is a great leader that means a lot to this team.”

Taylor said the situation is not a distraction, but a “one-off situation.”

“I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly. Again, this is a day-to-day situation,” Taylor said.

Taylor didn’t want to comment on whether the Bengals were concerned about Chase playing in the regular-season opener.

He said Chase would still be able to play even if he doesn’t practice the rest of this week.

“We’ve got really good players. What’s good about us is we have really good depth at the skill-position spot on offense,” Taylor said. “A lot of guys working in practice to get those reps. Of course we’d love for him to be practicing and getting those reps. But you’ve got to find the positives in the situation.”

Chase, 24, caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season and enters his fourth season with 268 receptions and 29 touchdowns. He’s scheduled to play on the fifth-year option on his contract with teammate Tee Higgins playing out the franchise tender on his deal after the Bengals allowed his contract to expire, then tagged him in March.

Waiting might come at a steep cost for Cincinnati. The price of business with wide receivers skyrocketed in the offseason.

His former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson reset the market with a four-year, $140 million contract ($35 million per season) that eclipsed the $32 million per year Eagles wideout A.J. Brown receives. Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year deal worth $30.002 million per year with the Lions, and the Cowboys finally paid CeeDee Lamb’s asking price — four years, $136 million with $100 million guaranteed — this week to bring his offseason holdout to a close.

–Field Level Media

Injured Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) walks to the locker room at halftime of the NFL 16 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023. The Steelers led 24-0 at halftime.

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder) to decide Sunday if he can play

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase said Friday that he plans to inform coach Zac Taylor on Sunday per whether he can play in that day’s road contest against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chase is listed as questionable for the game due to a right shoulder injury. The ailment forced him to miss last weekend’s 34-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chase was limited in practice the past two days and admitted he won’t be healthy on Sunday.

“I’m getting (range of motion) back,” Chase said on Friday. “It’s going to come down to tolerating pain from a hit, for real. If anything, that will be the biggest test. You can’t test that pregame. You’ll hurt yourself before you play. We’ll find out.”

Chase has caught a career-high 93 passes in 14 games this season. He also had 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cincinnati will get cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) back from injured reserve after he missed four games.

“He’s been a really quality player for us,” Taylor said of Taylor-Britt. “Brings a lot of energy to the table. So we’re excited to get him back.”

Cornerback Jalen Davis (groin) also is listed as questionable for the Bengals (8-7), who badly need a victory to bolster their playoff hopes.

For Kansas City, receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (neck) have been ruled out for the second straight game.

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf) is listed as questionable after not practicing all week.

Running backs Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) and receiver Mecole Hardman (thumb) are also questionable for Kansas City.

Complicating the running back situation for the Chiefs is that Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on injured reserve last Sunday.

Kansas City (9-6) also can use a win after losing five of its last eight games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) look toward wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) while he runs a route in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (back) uncertain vs. Texans

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase injured his back during Sunday night’s 24-18 victory over the Buffalo Bills and his status for Week 10 is uncertain.

Chase said he was injured when he fell on his back during the game against the Bills. He didn’t say when he was injured.

“Got worse as the game went on,” Chase told reporters Monday.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor termed it “impossible to say” if Chase would play Sunday against the Houston Texans.

Complicating matters is that Cincinnati has a short week following the game against Houston. The Bengals will play the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Nov. 15.

“You can’t jump forward,” Chase said. “Not worried about Baltimore right now, worried about Houston that is in front of us. One week at a time.”

Chase has caught 64 passes for 697 yards and four touchdowns this season. The No. 5 overall pick in 2021 had four receptions for 41 yards against Buffalo.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) stretches for the end zone in the fourth quarter during a Week 7 NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Nfl Atlanta Falcons At Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals brass: WR Tee Higgins not on trade block

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and coach Zac Taylor both shot down rumors that receiver Tee Higgins is on the trading block.

Speculation has been rampant about the receiver entering his fourth season, and Tobin said Tuesday at the NFL combine that the chatter is ill-advised.

“If they want a receiver, go find your own,” Tobin said. “In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”

Taylor also said there is no truth to the rumors and indicated he is counting on having the wideout who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.

“That’s why whenever you see the rumors floating around there, it’s nonsense,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, I do get to call the plays and it’s fun having (playmakers) out there. You don’t really want to give that up.”

Higgins has caught 215 passes for 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 games (42 starts) since being a second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2020 draft.

Part of the speculation has been fueled by the belief of outsiders that the Bengals will have a hard time signing quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins to wealthy long-term extensions.

The situation also has led to rumors that running back Joe Mixon might become a casualty.

Mixon has two seasons left on a four-year, $48 million deal. He has a salary cap hit of $12.76 million in 2023.

Tobin said he was unsure what the future holds for Mixon and the Bengals.

“Joe has been a vital part of our team,” Tobin said. “He’s been a successful part of our team. Again, I’m not gonna predict the offseason because I don’t have the answers.”

Mixon, 26, has topped 1,000 rushing yards three times in his six NFL seasons but dropped to 814 last season to go with seven rushing scores. He has rushed for 5,378 yards and 40 touchdowns and caught 231 passes for 1,763 yards and 10 scores in 80 games (71 starts).

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (left) and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (center) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) celebrate a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals approach full strength as RB Joe Mixon, WR Ja’Marr Chase hit field

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Joe Mixon participated in Wednesday’s practice with the Cincinnati Bengals after being idle last week due to a concussion.

The Bengals (7-4) host the Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) in a rematch of the AFC Championship game won by Cincinnati, 27-24 in overtime. The teams also met in a 34-31 shootout in Cincinnati won by the Bengals in Week 17 last season.

Mixon has 158 carries for 605 yards and six touchdowns this season with 41 receptions for 314 yards and two scores as a receiver.

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase also continued to progress toward playing in Week 13, which would be his first game since the Bengals’ 35-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 23. After limping off the field, Chase returned to play in the second half, then was shut down until limited practice participation last week.

Mixon also missed the Week 12 win over the Tennessee Titans due to a concussion. Head coach Zac Taylor said Mixon remains in concussion protocol, but the final step was participation in the workout Wednesday.

Chase, 22, has 47 catches, 605 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns over seven games. He led the Bengals in all three categories before his injury, with Tee Higgins since passing him in receptions (57) and yards (826).

Chase made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 starts.

In the Week 17 matchup with the Chiefs, Chase caught 11 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) won’t play Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will miss Sunday’s game at Tennessee due to a concussion.

Coach Zac Taylor confirmed Friday that Mixon is out, but wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (hip) has had a good week of practice and is questionable.

The Bengals (6-4) have won two straight and four of five entering the Week 12 game against the AFC South-leading Titans (7-3).

Mixon was injured during the second quarter of Sunday’s 37-30 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished with 20 yards on seven carries plus three receptions for 42 yards.

Samaje Perine took over in Mixon’s absence and finished with three receiving touchdowns. Perine, 27, has posted 341 yards from scrimmage and four scores in 10 games this season.

Mixon, 26, has rushed for 605 yards and six touchdowns in 10 starts. He has 41 receptions for 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Chase, 22, has missed the Bengals’ last three games. Quarterback Joe Burrow said earlier this week he expects his star receiver to play Sunday in Nashville.

Chase has 47 catches for 605 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns in seven starts this season. He initially hurt his hip in the Week 6 win at New Orleans and aggravated the injury in a Week 7 win against Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) breaks away for a touchdown reception in the second quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. The Bengals led 28-17 at halftime. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-The Enquirer Atlanta Falcons At Cincinnati Bengals Nfl Week 7

Bengals say WR Ja’Marr Chase will return to practice this week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Monday that star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will return to practice this week after missing three games with a hip injury.

Chase’s status for Sunday’s game at the Tennessee Titans is still up in the air, however.

“Everything has been positive up to this point, which we hoped it would be,” Taylor told reporters.

Chase, 22, initially injured the hip in Week 6 against New Orleans. He then aggravated it on a non-contact play in the closing seconds of the first half of the Bengals’ 35-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 23. After limping off the field, Chase returned to play in the second half.

Last week Taylor said that Chase planned to test his hip in practice as the Bengals came off their Week 10 bye. But a return did not materialize, as Chase was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday ahead of Cincinnati’s 37-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chase has 47 catches, 605 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns over seven games. He led the Bengals in all three categories before his injury, with Tee Higgins since passing him in receptions and yards.

Chase made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns in 17 starts.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase eyes return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase plans to test his hip in practice this week following Cincinnati’s Week 10 bye.

The Bengals (5-4) play the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6) on Sunday, a rematch of their overtime loss in Week 1.

The Bengals opted not to place Chase on injured reserve in part because of the bye week, head coach Zac Taylor said. A move to IR requires a player to miss four games.

“His mind his good. He feels good. We’re going to take it slow,” quarterback Joe Burrow said last week. “I know he feels good and wants to get back out there. It’s a long process. We’ll see when he comes back. Hopefully maybe after the bye, we’ll see.”

Monday marks the start of the 21-day practice window for starting defensive tackle DJ Reader, who was placed on injured reserve Sept. 29 with a knee injury.

Reader injured the MCL in his left knee in Week 3 against the New York Jets and has been working on the rehab field during practices, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said.

Chase, 22, initially injured the hip in Week 6 against New Orleans. He then aggravated it on a non-contact play in the closing seconds of the first half of the Bengals’ 35-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 23.

After limping off the field, Chase returned to play in the second half.

Chase has team-leading totals in catches (47), receiving yards (605) and receiving touchdowns (six). He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, catching 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 TDs in 17 starts.

Chase missed games against the Browns and Panthers before the bye week.

–Field Level Media

Oct 23, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Minus Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals aim to hand Browns fifth straight loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals will begin life without star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on Monday night when they visit the in-state rival Cleveland Browns.

Burrow completed 34 of 42 passes for a season-high 481 yards and three touchdowns in the Bengals’ 35-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, the same day Chase reportedly met with a hip specialist.

On Thursday, ESPN reported Chase is expected to miss four to six weeks with a hip injury. It’s possible he’ll be placed on injured reserve.

Last season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Chase was off to a fast start in 2022. He leads the team in catches (47), receiving yards (605) and receiving touchdowns (six), with four of those scores coming in the last two games.

Fellow wideouts Tee Higgins (31 catches, 455 yards, two touchdowns) and Tyler Boyd (29, 455, three) will be looked upon to pick up the slack for the Bengals (4-3), who have won four of their last five games to move into a tie for first place in the AFC North entering Week 8.

Joe Mixon had 91 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown last week. He has gouged the Browns to the tune of 558 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns in his last four games against them.

While Burrow’s recent play was trending up, he sports an 0-3 career record against the Browns. He sat out last year’s visit to Cleveland with the Bengals resting their starters prior to the playoffs.

“Last year they did a good job of creating turnovers, we didn’t do a good enough job of protecting the ball,” Burrow said. “You have to credit them for that. And then, going back to my rookie year, same thing, they’ve been able to create turnovers on us. We moved the ball for the most part, but we’ve just got to be able to protect the ball and the defense will be able to do what they do.”

The Browns (2-5), in turn, will look to reverse their fortunes and end a four-game losing skid on Monday.

Nick Chubb boosted his NFL-leading rushing total to 740 yards after running for 91 on 16 carries in Cleveland’s 23-20 setback to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

Tight end David Njoku had seven catches for 71 yards before sustaining an ankle injury in that game. Njoku, however, is keeping an optimistic mindset for his availability against the Bengals.

“We’ll see,” Njoku said Thursday. “It’s feeling better every day, so hopefully we can just see how it progresses.”

Cleveland’s Deion Jones recorded five tackles — including one for a loss — in his season debut versus the Ravens. The Pro Bowler likely will be elevated to a starter’s role after fellow linebacker Jacob Phillips (pectoral) was placed on injured reserve.

“That’s a big loss for us,” Jones said. “(I’m) just constantly on the grind, getting in the playbook, learning all I can learn and (want to) pick up from where he left off.”

The Browns are also dealing with several other injuries. Defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) and Myles Garrett (shoulder, biceps), cornerbacks Denzel Ward (concussion) and Greedy Williams (illness), linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (knee), and right guard Wyatt Teller (calf) didn’t practice Thursday.

As for the Bengals, cornerback Eli Apple (hamstring) and tight end Hayden Hurst (groin, ankle) were limited on Thursday. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck), offensive tackle La’el Collins (ankle/rest), wide receiver Stanley Morgan (hamstring) and nose tackle Josh Tupou (calf) did not practice.

–Field Level Media