Report: Chase practices for 1st time since start of Bengals camp

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase participated in drills for the first time on Sunday despite not having a new contract, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Chase was a full participant, and the Bengals expect him to practice all week, sources told The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr.

The three-time Pro Bowler had been sitting out of practices since the start of training camp with the aim of landing a new long-term contract. Chase, 24, is eligible to sign an extension, even though he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season.

Chase has done some individual work and walk-throughs on certain days of the Bengals' camp, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Head coach Zac Taylor downplayed Chase's non-participation throughout camp, describing the absence as part of "a plan that he and I have in place," according to ESPN's Ben Baby.

The former LSU star has exceeded all expectations since Cincinnati selected him fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He surpassed 80 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons and tallied 29 touchdowns in that same time frame.

Chase is among the front-runners to eclipse the growing market for wideouts. Fellow LSU alum Justin Jefferson leads all receivers with an average annual salary of $35 million per season, per Over the Cap. A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tyreek Hill follow, with each earning over $30 million per year. Meanwhile, Chase is set to earn just $7.7 million in his fourth NFL campaign.