We finally have an update on Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young. In some good news, Young was cleared for contact, but he will miss the season opener on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals as the team wants to see how he responds to contact before he plays.
Chase Young was cleared for contact but has been downgraded to out. They want to see how he responds to contact before playing.
— John Keim (@john_keim) September 9, 2023
This goes to head coach Ron Rivera’s answer to a question in his Friday press conference.
“If the doctor clears him, we have a decision to make, and if everything points to it, yes,” Rivera said when asked if Young would play if he were cleared for contact. After missing weeks of practice, Rivera and the Commanders wanted to see how Young responds to contact before putting him back on the field.
Ben Standig of The Athletic reported that Young could also miss Washington’s Week 2 game at Denver.
Commanders DE Chase Young will not play in Sunday’s regular season opener and is not expected back until at least Week 3 with a neck injury, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic.
Details: https://t.co/PY1MUBsX7q
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) September 9, 2023
It’s important to note that Young is dealing with a neck injury, so it’s wise of the team and the doctors to take every precaution possible to ensure Young is 100% healthy before he returns to action.
The Commanders kept 11 defensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster but placed DT Phidarian Mathis and DE Efe Obada on the short-term reserve/injured list shortly afterward. They each will miss at least the first four games. Washington re-signed DE William Bradley-King to the roster this week to provide depth.