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Washington Commanders’ defensive end Chase Young is set to miss the first two games of the 2023 NFL season, with his return anticipated no earlier than at least Week 3.
The news is a big blow to the Commanders defense, as Young is regarded as one of the league’s better pass-rushers when healthy.
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Young’s absence is attributed to a lingering neck injury that prevented him from gaining medical clearance to participate in the season-opening matchup against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
Chase Young had been optimistic about his chances of taking the field in Week 1, but a recent check-up revealed that he has not fully recovered from the neck issue, further postponing his return.
The injury setback compounds Young’s recent string of health challenges. In the 2021 season, the former No. 2 overall pick suffered a torn ACL, sidelining him for a significant portion of the campaign.
His return to action in 2022 was limited to just three games, leaving him with a mere 12 appearances over the past two years and recording just 1.5 sacks during that time. He had 7.5 as a rookie.
The Commanders’ decided to decline the fifth-year option in Young’s rookie contract ahead of the 2023 season, indicating that the team may be considering its options regarding his future.
That move sets up Chase Young to become a free agent in 2024, free to join any team.