Ja’Marr Chase was a surprise guest at Cincinnati Bengals practice.
Chase has been holding out for a new contract as he has two years remaining on his rookie wage scale contract, which includes an already accepted team option for the 2025 season.
The former LSU alum, who has emerged to be one of the league’s best receivers in just three seasons, has not practiced with the Bengals leading up to the regular season but showed up Sunday and participated in practice.
Chase had only shown up for individual work and walkthroughs on select days before Sunday.
The Bengals notably posted a photo of Chase’s return on Twitter.
This is a step forward for the fourth-year receiver fully returning to the team, though it is unclear if he has done so with a new contract — that hasn’t been reported as of this writing.
Chase was back at practice just days after the Bengals finished their preseason slate.
They begin their 2024 campaign on Sept. 8 at home against the New England Patriots.
Chase, 24, had a career-high 100 catches last season for 1,216 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Over his tenure, the 2021 NFL Draft’s fifth-overall pick has accumulated 268 receptions, 3,717 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns.
Chase has also helped lead the Bengals, as a rookie, to Super Bowl LVI in 2022, where they lost to the Rams 23-20, and in the game, the star wideout had five catches for 89 yards.
The Bengals missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2020.
Chase hasn’t been the only high-profile receiver holding out during camp as Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb is still without a desired contract extension.
San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk also wants a new deal and has been open to being traded.
