The Patriots are lower than every week away from touring to Cincinnati for his or her season opener as heavy street underdogs.
However with Bengals star wideout Ja’Marr Chase not practising, as he continues to carry in amid a contract dispute, would possibly the Patriots catch a break?
Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor deflected Monday when requested if his star receiver would play Sunday in opposition to the Patriots.
“We’ll simply take it day after day,” Taylor mentioned.
Chase has hardly practiced this summer season, often exhibiting up late to exercises in avenue garments. The fourth-year receiver has made the Professional Bowl each season since being drafted fifth total in 2021. Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and 7 touchdowns final 12 months, when beginning quarterback Joe Burrow missed roughly half the season resulting from harm.
In his solely profession sport in opposition to the Patriots, Chase had eight receptions fro 79 yards. He additionally misplaced a fumble late throughout an eventual 22-18 Cincinnati win in Dec. 2022. With out him, the Bengals could be right down to Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, rookie Jermaine Burton, Trenton Irwin and Charlies Jones at wideout.
Further factors
Ex-Patriots offensive deal with Trent Brown received the Bengals’ beginning proper deal with job, per Taylor. … Patriots rookie receiver Javon Baker went on Instagram Stay this weekend after claiming he obtained a ticket from regulation enforcement whereas dropping somebody off on the airport. Baker was indignant and demanding of the officer throughout his livestream. Coach Jerod Mayo addressed the incident Monday saying: “”[It] by no means represents what the group is about, by no means represents what we’re about as a workforce, or how Javon must go on the market and symbolize himself. We’ve dealt with it internally. We had an amazing dialog. I believe it’s a mix of immaturity and simply realizing the grand scheme — we’re on a giant stage right here and you’ll’t do these issues. So far as our relationship with regulation enforcement and issues like that, I believe it’s excellent and we’ll proceed to strengthen that relationship going ahead.” … The Patriots gave gamers Tuesday off earlier than they return for a regular-season schedule of conferences and practices Wednesday via Friday.
