Ja'Marr Chase appears to be on track for Sunday's opener. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver said Thursday that he is taking his usual number of reps after going full for the second straight day with his hyperextended knee.
That is the strongest sign yet that Chase is preparing to be available when the Bengals open at home against the Bucs at 1 p.m. Sunday. He entered his sixth season as one of the NFL's most productive receivers, and Cincinnati has reason to want him as close to full strength as possible right away.
What Chase said about his knee
Chase's status is notable because the injury report had him dealing with a hyperextended knee, but his practice workload suggests the issue is not keeping him out of normal work. On Thursday, he said he was taking his usual reps after being full for a second straight day.
That matters for a Bengals offense that leans heavily on Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase has already built a resume that includes 50 touchdowns and 500 catches during his first five seasons, and he is now close to moving up several Bengals franchise receiving lists.
Chase is also thinking about the bigger picture
Chase's comments this week went beyond the opener. He said his only goal for the season is winning the AFC title and reaching the Super Bowl, which fits the kind of expectations that come with his role in Cincinnati. He also said that being a captain for a second straight season changes how teammates look at him, noting that everyone is leaning on him and expecting him to do the right thing.
That leadership role is part of the story too. Chase said he has always led by example, but believes he is becoming more vocal. In other words, the Bengals are not just counting on him to make plays, but also to help set the tone.
Matchups still matter
Chase also discussed some of the competition he has faced in camp, including DJ Turner II, who had a hamstring issue on the injury report. Chase said Turner makes him better every camp and that he has to go back and watch film to adjust himself and be a pro.
For now, though, the main takeaway is simple: Chase is practicing normally enough to put himself in position to play. Unless something changes before Sunday, the Bengals should have one of their top offensive players on the field when they kick off the season against the Bucs.
