Chase Young Injury Update: Commanders Coach Reveals 'Biggest Thing'
The Washington Commanders are poised for their first road trip of the regular season, as they'll travel to take on the Denver Broncos at Empower Field this Sunday.
Among many looming questions for Commanders coach Ron Rivera after a narrow 20-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 is the status of defensive end Chase Young, who was inactive in the season opener with a neck injury.
The 24-year-old Young stated last week that he feels fine and is "ready to go" right now - but the Commanders evidently didn't agree by holding him out of the season opener.
Now, Washington must decide whether Young can play this week against Denver - though according to The Athletic, the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year isn't expected to suit up until Week 3.
What say you, Rivera?
"Again, he will just continue to do what the doctor's asking of him," Rivera said. "The biggest thing is we're going to introduce him into full contact. It'll be an opportunity to go out and see where he is. So, we'll go from there.”
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It seems as if Young may not be officially out just yet, with the Commanders eager to see how he responds to a full-speed practice session.
Nonetheless, Young's injury troubles simply won't go away.
Since his stellar rookie season, Young has played in only 12 games, accumulating one-and-a-half sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterback hits and a pair of forced fumbles.
Last year, Young returned to play the final three games, his only appearances of the campaign, and had his fifth-year option declined this offseason, meaning he'll be a free agent at season's end.
As such, there's lots on the line for Young, who's searching to prove he's still the same player he was three years ago - but he needs to get back healthy first.
Final word on Young's status will be in soon enough, as kickoff between the Commanders and Broncos is set for 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
