Ron Rivera provides encouraging injury updates on Chase Young, Curtis Samuel

The NFL Draft content is coming hot and heavy this week with the annual event getting started on Thursday night, but the Washington Commanders still have other pertinent storylines worth covering with OTAs in full-swing.

In a big shocker that could change the scope of the draft, the Commanders aren’t expected to offer Daron Payne an extension this offseason after previously stating their desire to initiate negotiations at the Combine.

At Monday’s pre-draft press conference, Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew spoke on numerous topics encompassing the team. Most of the discussion centered on the team’s drafting strategy, but Rivera fielded questions on some of Washington’s biggest stars and their respective recoveries from injury.

As expected, Chase Young and Curtis Samuel were chief among them.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera provided injury updates on Chase Young and Curtis Samuel.

On top of being elated to see Young report to voluntary offseason workouts after he skipped the start of last year’s program, Rivera said Young is doing “exactly what he needs to” in his recovery from November ACL surgery.

"Well, he’s been doing real well. He is here today again and it’s a great sight to see. Got an opportunity to spend a little time with him, and he’s fired up. He’s really focused in, and he’s attacking his rehab. I think, as Martin alluded to earlier, an opportunity for him to meet (new head trainer) Al Bellamy and listen to Bellamy and his plan and how he’s mapped things out."

It’s great to hear that Bellamy, Young and Rivera have already had a meeting to outline the remainder of Young’s recovery. In predictable fashion, though, Washington’s head coach politely declined to give the media a concrete timeline.

Fans will be disappointed to not get a timetable on Young’s return, but that’s more likely to happen as we get closer to training camp. Less than five months removed from surgery, there’s no need to put pressure on Young to meet a certain date.

The important thing is the former second overall picked is attacking his rehab and seems to be right on schedule with his recovery.

Moving on to Samuel, who’s entering a make-or-break year in Ashburn after injuries limited him to just five games and 84 offensive snaps. A few weeks ago, a video surfaced of Samuel partaking in wind sprints in a private workout, seemingly hinting to fans that the speedy wideout is on the road back to full-strength.

Rivers shared a similar sentiment on Monday.

"He’s looking good. It’s good to see him here. We haven’t been able to go out on the field and watch these guys work yet, by rule, but just listening to what the strength and conditioning guys are telling us about him coming in and looking really good, moving around really well.We do get to watch the workout stuff that we do get to video, and when you do see him moving around, you feel pretty confident about it."

Again, it’s better than nothing and better than Rivera not expressing confidence in the progress Samuel has showed in workouts.

Fans have lost trust in Samuel after his non-existent debut season for Washington, but he’s just one year removed from posting over 1,000 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns while averaging 8.9 yards per touch in Carolina.

When healthy, Samuel is one of the more versatile receivers the NFL has to offer, making him maybe the biggest wild card on the roster entering 2022. If he stays on the field, the entire complexion of the offense changes for the better.