4 critical observations from Commanders 2023 OTAs Day 1
By Dean Jones
Notable Commanders trio absent
It's worth remembering that these OTA sessions are voluntary. Still, being present and ready to work is something head coach Ron Rivera has preached throughout his time as an NFL head coach.
This has seen good attendance over the last two offseasons. While that was still the case on Tuesday, there were three notable absentees from practice that caused debate.
Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and Charles Leno Jr. weren't at the facility on Day 1. All three are veterans that know how to prepare their bodies for the upcoming rigors, but there are some storylines attached that warrant consideration.
Sweat is heading into the final year of his deal and probably doesn't want to risk an injury jeopardizing his chances of a bumper payday. The same also applies to Young, but one could also argue he is the last person that should be missing practice after the last two years.
The former Ohio State star hasn't done the voluntary part of workouts since being drafted, so this shouldn't come as a shock. That said, it's not a good look for Young when one considers what's at stake from a personal perspective next season.
We should get more clarification on this from Rivera when he speaks to the media on Wednesday. But when the time comes for the mandatory portion of workouts, the trio will be on the field.
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