CINCINNATI — It’s still unclear whether Bengals wide receiver Jamar Chase will be available for the season opener a week from now.
Coach Zac Taylor said Chase remains day-to-day while he awaits the status of his contract extension and continues to practice. Monday was the team’s final practice before the game week officially begins.
Taylor said he will consider the fluid situation involving the three-time Pro Bowler as he works to come up with a plan.
“There are always injuries and things to deal with, so we’ll adjust to him,” Taylor said.
Chase was more involved during Monday’s open practice for the media than he has been in recent days. He stood with the receivers for 15 minutes during the stretch and waved the ball around to help assistant coaches Troy Walters and Freddie Knighton.
Taylor didn’t want to speculate on how much time Chase would have on Sunday given the lack of practice time, but the sixth-year coach is taking a vote of confidence.
“I’m not 100 percent sure, but I feel good about his condition right now,” Taylor said.
In other news Monday, Taylor said cornerback Dax Hill and right tackle Trent Brown will start Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Hill, who was the team’s starting free safety last season, beat out incumbent starter DJ Turner for the job. Brown will start over rookie Amarius Mims, the team’s first-round pick who is recovering from a pectoral injury suffered early in the preseason.
Taylor said it would be a distraction for Mims to start because he didn’t practice Monday, but the coach added he’s comfortable with Brown setting the edge. The eight-year veteran signed a one-year deal with the Bengals and will face his former team.
“He’s a pro,” Taylor said of Brown, who has spent the past three seasons with the Patriots. “He’s taken care of himself well this training camp. I’m looking forward to watching him work.”
