Team news: Cincinnati Bengals | Page 5

Bengals RB Chris Evans suffered a torn patellar tendon during today’s practice, and he will miss the entire regular season.

Just a devastating blow for the former Michigan star, who was having a strong camp with Cincinnati.

Related Players: Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams

It seemed as if Evans were on the outside looking in on the roster bubble, but this injury will clear the way for Williams to presumably lock in a spot. Hopefully Evans has a smooth recovery and finds a team for the 2025 season.

Tuesday's practice featured an added twist in the saga involving Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

For the first time in training camp, Chase was not present when the team was practicing. The fourth-year player had not been participating at practice as he awaits a contract extension, but had remained visible and involved during drills.

HC Zac Taylor said Tuesday, "Ja'Marr [is] day-to-day. We'll take it one day a time." Team president Mike Brown indicated a deal isn't likely to get done this year, but it's unclear what changed to cause Chase to miss Tuesday's practice.

As the calendar flips to mid-August, the Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase remain at an impasse.

Chase has not practiced throughout training camp in an apparent hold-in. Zac Taylor’s comments in his Monday press conference did not make it seem like Chase will return to the field soon.

“We’ll see. We’ll just keep taking it day-to-day,” Taylor said. “He and I have had good conversations.”

As the story went on to say, Chase is eligible for a contract extension after completing his third season. But team owner Mike Brown’s comments at the beginning of training camp made it seem like the team was not going to address a new deal for Chase this year.

Bengals RB Zack Moss missed the team’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an illness.

Moss came down with the illness Friday. With Moss out, Chase Brown got the start against the Buccaneers. He carried five times for ten yards and caught a pass but did not gain any yards on the reception. The Bengals will be back in action next Saturday against the Chicago Bears.

The Bengals would like to get receiver Ja’Marr Chase signed to a second contract at some point, though it’s unlikely to happen this season.

It’s become more and more clear, however, that the team is planning to move on from Tee Higgins after 2024.

Related players: Jermaine Burton

Higgins signed his franchise tender in June and the two sides unsurprisingly did not reach a long-term deal by last week’s deadline. On Monday, Bengals owner Mike Brown noted the salary cap when explaining why Cincinnati has not signed Higgins to an extension, the story went on to say. For those in dynasty leagues, or for those who just like to look ahead, the rookie Burton could be the one who eventually slides into the WR2 role if in fact the Bengals move on from Higgins after this season.

A contract extension for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase may not be imminent, team president Mike Brown indicated Monday.

At the team's annual media luncheon, Brown was asked whether negotiations will continue into the regular season. While the longtime head executive said, "opportunities can arise unexpectedly" and the team is open to agreeing to a deal if it is right for the club, conditions aren't currently ideal to sign Chase to a contract extension as veterans prepare to report for camp on Tuesday.

Related players: Tee Higgins

Both Chase and Higgins are looking for new contracts. There have been a few reports out about Chase today, and earlier there was one that said the team will "bend over backwards" to keep Chase in Cincy. Brown added Chase is "the next one" to get signed and "he knows that," however it doesn't sound like it will happen soon.

Zac Taylor just told the Bengals local media that QB Joe Burrow has been fully cleared for contact

Paul Dehner added in a similar post that Burrow, and the rest of the starters, will get playing time this preseason, according to Taylor. The post added Taylor said he will continue to be proactive in easing Burrow through camp with eyes on being in top form closer to season.

Breaking: Tee Higgins has signed his franchise tag. He is expected to report for training camp when it begins.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin

So, the mini-holdout has come to its end, and Higgins will suit up for the Bengals in 2024. No word yet on an extension, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Higgins should be considered a borderline WR2/3 for fantasy purposes.

Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase, who has skipped OTAs and wants a new contract, is present for mandatory minicamp. He was there for media day yesterday and is in the building today.

A follow-up report mentioned that Tee Higgins is not currently attending, so the Cincy WR drama isn't quite over. After Justin Jefferson's recent blockbuster deal, Chase should be getting a similar treatment sooner or later.

Bengals franchise-tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins, who requested to be traded last month, anticipates playing for Cincinnati in 2024, he told reporters Sunday at his youth football camp.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas

While Higgins, understandably, wants to find a lucrative contract, he will be set for a big payday in 2025 on the open market if he plays out the franchise tag in '24. The Bengals are expected to add another pass-catcher through the NFL Draft, and that could come in the first round.