Bengals' Taylor: I spoke too soon about Chase's Week 1 status
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor walked back his comments about receiver Ja'Marr Chase's availability for the team's season opener.
Taylor said Tuesday that the disgruntled Chase would play in Week 1 versus the New England Patriots on Sept. 8. The star pass-catcher returned to practice this week after holding in for most of training camp while negotiating a new contract.
Chase, however, was once again a non-participant at practice Wednesday.
"I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly," Taylor said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. "Again, this is a day-to-day situation. We'll just keep seeing it as that."
Chase participated in lighter practice sessions earlier this week, but Cincy held a more traditional game-week practice Wednesday, notes Baby.
Taylor is done trying to predict what Chase will do next at this point.
"Every day is a new day," Taylor added. "We'll keep working through it. Not going to make predictions on what tomorrow brings. ... At the end of the day, Ja'Marr's a great dude that means a lot to this team, and we'll just continue to take it day to day."
The No. 5 pick in 2021, Chase is eligible to sign a contract extension but still has two years left on his rookie contract, including a fifth-year option worth $21.8 million. He also skipped mandatory minicamp in July.
The former LSU star has taken the NFL by storm, averaging 101 receptions, 1,404 yards, and 11 touchdown catches per 17 games played through his first three seasons in the league.
Chase is expected to become one of the sport's top-paid receivers and could potentially top Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, who currently owns the position's highest average annual salary at $35 million. Dallas Cowboys All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb recently signed a four-year, $136-million contract after holding out of camp.
Bengals owner Mike Brown said in July that his team was going to "bend over backwards" to get a deal done with Chase.