At the Bengals’ first full practice of the week ahead of Sunday’s opener (1 p.m. – Cincinnati’s Local 12) against the Patriots at Paycor Stadium, all seemed well in the Bengaldom when three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase took to the practice field on Wednesday.

Chase returned to practice after taking the field last week amid contract extension negotiations. Throughout the preseason, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor remained optimistic that Chase could hit the ground running despite an abbreviated training camp.

He points to his work ethic in the weight room and his familiarity with the playbook in which he plays all three wide receiver positions.

Before Wednesday’s practice, Taylor said it was not unusual to put Chase in a game plan with limited practice reps and not knowing his availability.

“We deal with injuries all the time,” Taylor said. “When guys are limited or not practicing during the week, our guys have always done a great job in the meetings and taking responsibility for it. I think we do a good job of teaching that and going through it. There are a lot of ways to get guys ready for a game.”

It looks like Dan Pitcher could have Chase in his first game as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator. Regardless of when he gets him, Pitcher said before practice he’s not worried about what he’ll get.

“I think he’s taken steps that will help him play when he plays, and I’m not worried about his level of play when we have him,” Pitcher said.

Not only is this the Patriots’ first game since trading away Bill Belichick, but it’s also the Bengals’ first game since trading away Tyler Boyd, who are trying to incorporate his performance into the slot.

Although sophomore Andrei Iosivas had a great training camp and played all over the place in Chase’s absence, Pitcher said Iosivas will be his main man in the slot against New England.

“I think that’s fair. I think that qualifying word is important. Primary can mean 51%. It can mean 90%,” Pitcher said. “I don’t know where that’s going to fall. Maybe in two weeks that word won’t be appropriate. I think he’s done enough to warrant a chance as a primary. One of our options to fill the void that Tyler left. But there are other players who have definitely shown they deserve a chance as well, and we intend to use all of those guys.”

Right tackle Trent Brown, the 10-year veteran from New England, has struggled with a tight back this preseason, but Pitcher says he’s ready.

“I think Trent is in a position where he’s going to play effectively for us. I think we saw some really good things from him in training camp and we’re excited about what he can offer us in terms of defense and the running game,” Pitcher said. “His length, his strength, the width with which he sets the pocket. His experience certainly doesn’t hurt. He’s played a lot of football games. He knows what he needs to do with his skill set to be effective, so we expect him to be effective.” …

It is the first time that Pitcher has been in the press box since the Bengals’ 2019 finals, when he was assistant quarterbacks coach.

“The first preseason game, it was like I was on another planet. I’ve been up there my first four years here, so it’s not like I’ve never done it before,” Pitcher said. “It’s definitely a very different game day experience. But I think given my primary responsibilities right now, it makes sense for me to be there, and I think that’s where I can best help Zac.” …