Source: Bengals optimistic WR Chase will play

The Cincinnati Bengals will monitor Ja’Marr Chase during pregame warmups Sunday but remain hopeful that the star wide receiver will play against the Houston Texans, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Chase is officially listed as questionable because of a back injury that he suffered on a hard fall in last week’s victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Chase missed Wednesday’s practice as he continued to deal with soreness, was limited Thursday and was spotted again during the open period of Friday’s practice.

Chase was listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, with Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, “we’ll see,” when asked Friday about Chase’s status.

“I thought he was good,” Taylor said of Chase’s practice Friday.

Cincinnati (5-3), which is looking to win its fifth straight game after dropping three of its first four, will be without wide receiver Tee Higgins because of a hamstring injury.

ESPN’s Ben Baby contributed to this report.