Ja'Marr Chase Rumors: Bengals Expect WR to Play vs. Patriots amid Contract Buzz

The Cincinnati Bengals are "anticipating" wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will play Sunday's season opener against the New England Patriots, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported.

The Bengals listed Chase as "questionable" for Week 1 due to rest/illness on Saturday's injury report.

Chase did not practice during Bengals training camp amid his bid for an extension.

The three-time Pro Bowler said on Friday that it would be his "decision" as to whether or not he played Sunday without a new contract.

ESPN's Ben Baby described the Bengals as "tentatively planning" for Chase's availability on Sunday.

A team source reportedly told Fowler that the Bengals "can adjust accordingly should Chase not end up playing," per Baby.

Chase told reporters on Friday that "we'll see about game day."

"I'll probably be limited if I do play, but we'll see what happens," Chase said.

When asked if he would be willing to play without an extension, Chase answered, "If it gets to that point, that will be, yeah."

Whether Chase will be available is especially critical for the Bengals given the offseason departure of veteran Tyler Boyd and the uncertain status of wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was listed as "doubtful" with a hamstring injury on the team's Saturday injury report.

Head coach Zac Taylor said Higgins had a hamstring "tweak" during Thursday's practice, per The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. Higgins did not practice on Friday.

Chase led the Bengals with 100 receptions for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Higgins meanwhile recorded 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns despite also being limited by a hamstring injury for portions of last season.

The Bengals seem to be preparing for at least one of their star wideouts to sit out Sunday's game. The team on Saturday elevated practice squad wide receiver Kendric Pryor to the active roster ahead of the contest with the Patriots.

If either Higgins or Chase are unavailable or limited during the season opener, the Bengals could give more targets to Andrei Iosivas. The 2023 sixth-rounder stepped up during Higgins' injury during his rookie season on his way to earning a Week 18 start.