Bengals' Taylor: Chase's missed practices part of plan

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor downplayed star receiver Ja'Marr Chase not practicing for a second straight day at training camp despite being healthy.

"I've got clear communication with all these guys," said Taylor, who added that Chase's absence is part of "a plan that he and I have in place," according to ESPN's Ben Baby.

Taylor's comments suggest that Chase could be holding in at camp. The star pass-catcher has two years left on his rookie deal but is eligible to sign an extension as he enters his fourth NFL season.

Chase declined to comment on his contract situation Thursday, per Kelsey Conway of the Enquirer.

The 24-year-old - who's earned three Pro Bowl berths in as many seasons - is expected to become one of the NFL's highest-paid wide receivers. Bengals owner Mike Brown said Monday that his team is ready to "bend over backward" to get a deal done with Chase.

The 2021 No. 5 overall pick has averaged 89 receptions, 1,239 yards, and 10 touchdowns per year.

Taylor didn't specify if Chase would practice Friday. Cincinnati wideout Tee Higgins was a full participant at practice Wednesday but had limited participation Thursday. Higgins received the franchise tag this past offseason but couldn't reach a multi-year deal with the team.

Taylor said he sees Chase's and Higgins' situations as a great chance for other Bengals wideouts to step up.

"It's a lot of opportunity with the early install that Ja'Marr and Tee, specifically, have repped more times than you can count," Taylor added, according to Chris Renkel of Local 12.

"Young guys like Andrei (Iosivas) and Charlie (Jones) and Jermaine (Burton) and (Shedrick Jackson) and Kwamie (Lassiter II) and Kendric (Pryor), all these guys now they're getting all these reps. It's unbelievable for these guys. It's going to help the depth of our team and the competition we've got at that third receiver spot."

Cincy also rosters wideout Trenton Irwin, who's considered a front-runner to replace Tyler Boyd as the Bengals' slot receiver in 2024.