The Patriots are less than a week away from traveling to Cincinnati for their season opener as heavy road underdogs.

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But with Bengals star wideout Ja’Marr Chase not practicing, as he continues to hold in amid a contract dispute, might the Patriots catch a break?

Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor deflected Monday when asked if his star receiver would play Sunday against the Patriots.

“We’ll just take it day to day,” Taylor said.

Chase has hardly practiced this summer, occasionally showing up late to workouts in street clothes. The fourth-year receiver has made the Pro Bowl every season since being drafted fifth overall in 2021. Chase caught 100 passes for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns last year, when starting quarterback Joe Burrow missed roughly half the season due to injury.

In his only career game against the Patriots, Chase had eight receptions fro 79 yards. He also lost a fumble late during an eventual 22-18 Cincinnati win in Dec. 2022. Without him, the Bengals would be down to Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, rookie Jermaine Burton, Trenton Irwin and Charlies Jones at wideout.

Extra points

Ex-Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown won the Bengals’ starting right tackle job, per Taylor. … Patriots rookie receiver Javon Baker went on Instagram Live this weekend after claiming he received a ticket from law enforcement while dropping someone off at the airport. Baker was angry and critical of the officer during his livestream. Coach Jerod Mayo addressed the incident Monday saying: “”[It] in no way represents what the organization is about, in no way represents what we are about as a team, or how Javon needs to go out there and represent himself. We’ve handled it internally. We had a great conversation. I think it’s a combination of immaturity and just realizing the grand scheme — we’re on a big stage here and you can’t do those things. As far as our relationship with law enforcement and things like that, I think it’s outstanding and we’ll continue to strengthen that relationship going forward.” … The Patriots gave players Tuesday off before they return for a regular-season schedule of meetings and practices Wednesday through Friday.