The Washington Commanders did not pick up the fifth-year option for former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young after the pass rusher has been plagued by injuries throughout his NFL career. But even though his future with the team is relatively uncertain, Young is with the team for mandatory minicamp this week, giving everyone a chance to see whether or not he is healthy.
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was asked about the health of Chase Young as he and the team head into practice. And while Rivera couldn’t provide a clear answer, he made it clear that everyone was about to find out as soon as Young stepped on the field.
“We’ll find out today,” Ron Rivera said according to Ralph Vacchiano. “I’m confident, though. He looked good. He really did. The proof will be in the pudding.”
The Commanders begin minicamp today. Chase Young is there. So how healthy is his knee?
"We'll find out today," Ron Rivera said. "I'm confident, though. He looked good. He really did. The proof will be in the pudding."
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) June 6, 2023
Young chose to work out elsewhere during the recent voluntary portions of the offseason program after the team declined to pick up his fifth year option, so this will be the first time he has participated in an offseason workout. Young missed all but three games last season while recovering from an ACL injury he sustained during the 2021 NFL season.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2029 NFL Draft, behind only Joe Burrow, Young had a promising start to his NFL career, earning defensive rookie of the year honors. However, he’s had some rough injury luck since then.
If Young is healthy, then he obviously could still have a long NFL career ahead of him. And it sounds like the Commanders want to just wait and see.
