Ja'Marr Chase began the Cincinnati Bengals' preparations for the 2026 season with limited participation because of a knee injury, although head coach Zac Taylor offered a positive update on the star receiver.
Chase was limited during Tuesday's practice on Sept. 1, while Tee Higgins was also limited because of a heel contusion. Taylor said he expects both receivers to be ready for next week's preparation ahead of Cincinnati's season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
What is happening with Ja'Marr Chase?
Chase's status deserves attention because the receiver is one of the central pieces of Cincinnati's offense. The Bengals are reducing his workload this week while managing the knee issue.
However, Taylor's comments were encouraging. The coach indicated that Chase should be in position to take part in the team's Week 1 preparation next week, keeping open the possibility that he will play in the season opener.
There is currently no indication that the Bengals view the injury as a threat to Chase's availability at the beginning of the season.
Chase is coming off another elite season
The importance of this update becomes clearer when looking at the receiver's recent production. In 2025, Chase finished with 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games.
He was named Associated Press first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive season and set a Bengals single-season record with seven 100-yard receiving games. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
After five NFL seasons, Chase has 520 receptions, 6,837 yards and 54 touchdowns. His reception and yardage totals rank among the most productive starts to a career in NFL history. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
Tee Higgins is also limited
Cincinnati is not only managing Chase. Tee Higgins is also limited this week because of a heel contusion.
Zac Taylor said the injury is not a major concern for the game against Tampa Bay and expects Higgins to be available for the team's Week 1 preparation as well.
The situation allows the Bengals to take a conservative approach with their two leading receivers before the regular season begins. There is no immediate need to expose either player to a full workload during the first days of September.
When do the Bengals play?
Cincinnati will open its 2026 season on Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That makes next week's practices particularly important for determining the final status of Chase and Higgins.
The coaching staff expects both receivers to take part more normally in game preparation. If Chase increases his workload without setbacks, concerns about his knee should decrease significantly.
The Bengals need Chase
Ja'Marr Chase is Joe Burrow's primary receiving target and one of the players who defines Cincinnati's offensive ceiling. His ability to win matchups throughout the field forces opposing defenses to account for him on every snap.
That is why even a temporary limitation during practice attracts attention. The positive development for Cincinnati is that the current report does not point to a long-term absence, and Taylor expects Chase to be ready to prepare for the opener.
The priority over the next several days will be making sure a manageable issue does not become something more serious. Cincinnati still has time before its first regular-season game and can manage Chase's workload without rushing his recovery.
Ja'Marr Chase is limited by a knee injury, but the Bengals expect him to be ready for Week 1 preparation. The next step will be watching how he responds during next week's practices before Cincinnati opens the season against Tampa Bay. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}