Commanders News: Chase Young, Sam Howell, Champ Bailey and game day

Commanders playing it safe with Chase Young

The last thing Chase Young needed was to begin such a crucial crossroads campaign from a personal perspective on the sidelines. But even though the defensive end declared he was raring to go for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, the medical assessments had other ideas.

According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, the pass-rusher wasn't cleared for contact during a doctor's appointment on Friday. This not only ruled him out this weekend, but the reporter hinted that the former No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft is going to miss even more time.

"The Washington Commanders’ Chase Young will not play in Sunday’s regular-season opener with a neck injury that may cause the defensive end to miss additional games, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. Young said early in the week he hoped to face the Arizona Cardinals, but he was not given clearance for game contact during a checkup Friday. Doctors laid out a plan to gradually increase contact during practice that puts the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year on track to return in Week 3."

- Ben Standig, The Athletic

This isn't Young's call, obviously. However, it is extremely disappointing when one considers how much football he's missed since his NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

Washington is a little light on the defensive front with Phidarian Mathis and Efe Obada also missing. William Bradley-King was signed to the active roster in Young's absence, with Ron Rivera declaring the need for a next-man-up mentality until the aforementioned individuals are ready to participate.