NFL Rumors: Ja'Marr Chase Still in Bengals' Gameplan for Patriots amid Contract Buzz

The Cincinnati Bengals are at least preparing for Week 1 with the possibility that Ja'Marr Chase will suit up amid his ongoing contract standoff.

On the latest episode of Scoop City (starts at 6:36 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported the Bengals have their star receiver in the gameplan for Sunday's matchup with the New England Patriots.

Chase sat out Monday's practice, which was the team's last unofficial session before they begin real preparation for the start of the regular season. He was on the field with the team but was wearing street clothes when players began working on drills.

Head coach Zac Taylor told reporters afterward there will be contingencies in place if Chase doesn't play.

"There are always injuries and things you have to deal with, so we'll adapt to him," Taylor said.

The situation has been fluid because Chase was a training camp hold-in to avoid being fined. He did light practice work at the start of last week, prompting Taylor to say he anticipated his star wideout would continue to do on-field work before Chase skipped practice on Aug. 28.

"I think I probably put my foot in my mouth speaking too quickly," Taylor said after the Aug. 28 practice. "Again, this is a day-to-day situation. We'll just keep seeing it as that."

Chase, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract, told B/R's Scott Polacek in January he had to "wait for other receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson to get paid" before working on his deal.

That strategy figures to pay off because Jefferson and Lamb are now the two highest-paid receivers in the NFL after signing extensions. Jefferson is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league with an average annual salary of $35 million. Lamb checks in not far behind at $34 million per season.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chase is seeking a deal that would at least match what Jefferson is being paid by the Minnesota Vikings.

The next key date for Chase and the Bengals could be Wednesday, as that will mark their first official practice leading up to Week 1.

Chase has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three seasons. He is tied for third among all wide receivers in touchdown receptions (29) and ranks seventh in receiving yards (3,717) since the start of the 2021 campaign.

The Bengals will host the Patriots at Paycor Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.