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Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was already experiencing struggles and growing pains in training camp and the LSU standout had a rough go of things in the first half of the Bengals’ preseason showdown with the Washington Football Team on Friday.
Stats
Chase was targeted three times early and subsequently dropped three passes in the exhibition at FedEx Field.
Ja’Marr chase is still shaking off the rust. He’s had a few drops tonight. pic.twitter.com/nO7CvUG0J7
— Jake Estes (@dynasty_jake) August 21, 2021
Ja'marr Chase with a third drop. Some day.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) August 21, 2021
Analysis
Chase has had his struggles in camp so far but it could very well be a mix of the usual growing pains of a rookie receiver getting used to the NFL and a player who hasn’t played a single snap since January of 2020 shaking off the rust and regaining his muscle memory on the football field. The Bengals took criticism for taking Chase over Penei Sewell in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft but it’s way too early for anyone to bear judgement on his prospects as a future star. R-E-L-A-X.
Fantasy implications
Chase will be gradually worked into the Bengals’ scheme but for now, he’s solidly behind Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd on the depth chart.