Could the Washington Commanders be forced to begin their 2023 season without wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive end Chase Young?
The Washington Commanders are gearing up to begin their 2023 season next Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. FedEx Field is sold out to mark the first home game under Josh Harris' ownership group, which promises to be a memorable occasion for all involved after months of preparations.
This is a good chance for the Commanders to get their campaign off on the right foot. The Cardinals are without star quarterback Kyler Murray and are rumored to be in the process of tanking based on their recent personnel moves, although nobody would be saying that publicly at any stage.
Washington is not in a position to be taking anyone for granted with so many jobs at stake in 2023. And the Commanders might have to go into their opener without two influential figures along the way.
Here's what we know so far about the statuses of Terry McLaurin and Chase Young.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin's status
The Commanders' captain and the heartbeat of this team suffered a toe injury in the second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. X-rays came back negative and according to multiple reports, some within the building are optimistic that McLaurin could be available for Week 1.
Turf toe injuries are notoriously difficult to overcome. So there's a real chance McLaurin doesn't play during the Commanders' opener versus the Cardinals to give himself another week to heal before getting his season underway.
Losing such a consistent pass-catcher would be a blow. But the Commanders have more than enough firepower in their ranks to cope without the Ohio State product for one game against a team favored to hold the No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Commanders will need McLaurin to recover quickly but must also remain cautious at the same time. If he does have to miss time, it's not the end of the world all things considered.
On the bright side, the Cardinals don't look like a very dangerous team this year. Therefore, the Commanders could benefit from not having McLaurin available, but I wouldn't take any opponent lightly thinking it's an easy win.
Commanders DE Chase Young's injury status
This situation is a little touchy because most fans seem to be down on Chase Young. He hasn't been available for a full season due to injuries and trade rumors have swirled around his name since the off-season.
The Commanders declined his fifth-year option as a result, with head coach Ron Rivera wanting to add a little extra motivation. Young realizes that at some point this season he has to touch the field and make a lasting contribution to avoid further questions about his future.
With the season right around the corner, Young's latest injury - a severe stinger suffered in the first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns is a growing concern. For the last couple of weeks, he hasn't been doing much and is expected to visit a doctor this week in a bid to get cleared for contact according to Rivera.
If Young suffered more health concerns in 2023, his chances of a new deal diminish significantly. Talent has never been an issue for the pass-rushing presence - it's keeping him on the field for a prolonged run of games - so missing such a monumental occasion to begin such a make-or-break campaign isn't a great look.