Report: Bengals RB Chris Evans to miss regular season with torn patellar tendon

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Evans suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice on Thursday, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The injury will end the former Michigan standout’s season.

The injury occurred during the Bengals’ joint practice with the Chicago Bears amid both team’s training camp schedules. Evans was reportedly injured while covering a kickoff near the end of the practice. His right leg was placed inside an air cast before being carted off the field.

Evans has spent three seasons in Cincinnati since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s appeared in 34 games for the Bengals over that time totaling 19 carries for 89 yards. He’s also been used on special teams, even being the team’s kickoff returner on 14 occasions, where he’s totaled 314 yards and kickoffs.

During his time with Michigan, Evans totaled over 1,500 career rushing yards to go with 14 touchdowns to his credit. He was also a threat out of the backfield, leading the Bengals to want to draft the former Wolverine with their sixth-round pick that year.

It wasn’t the only injury during Thursday’s practice, either. Bears offensive tackle D’Ante Smith injured his left leg during the period and also had his leg put in an air cast. He was also carted off the field.

The Bengals and Bears will play each other on Saturday, Aug. 17 on the road in their second of three preseason matchups. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET live on the NFL Network.

Ja’Marr Chase absent from practice amid contract dispute

As he looks for a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase was absent from Tuesday’s practice. It marks his first absence despite the ongoing contract dispute, ESPN’s Ben Baby said.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor confirmed Chase didn’t attend Tuesday’s session. The former LSU star had been doing drills, but has not fully participated in practice so far. Taylor shared a brief update afterward, but didn’t have much of an update on when Chase will return.

“Ja’Marr (is) day-to-day,” Taylor said of Chase, via ESPN. “We’ll take it one day a time.”

Chase is entering the last year of his rookie contract, and the Bengals already picked up his fifth-year option. His desire for an extension comes as the wide receiver market took multiple turns this offseason with multiple big contracts coming down.

Now, Chase is searching for long-term security beyond the one-year team option. Bengals owner Mike Brown addressed Chase’s situation last month, saying the franchise will “bend over backwards” to get a deal done.