Commanders News: Chase Young, training camp, Saahdiq Charles and Chase Roullier

Health is key for Commanders OL Saahdiq Charles

Even though most fans were ready to write off Saahdiq Charles' starting chances with the Washington Commanders heading into the campaign, that is not an opinion shared by those in power. Ron Rivera and his staff are giving the interior offensive lineman one final chance to provide his worth, with the former fourth-round selection occupying the No. 1 left guard position throughout early offseason workouts.

Although second-year-pro Chris Paul is breathing down his neck, this is probably the best-case scenario for Charles heading into Washington's training camp. If he does enough to start and provides stability, then he can expect a pretty nice contract once his current deal expires next spring.

When discussing Charles recently, head coach Ron Rivera stated via Sports IIllusrated that health is the key. If the one-time LSU star can stay clear of the nagging injuries that have blighted his career so far, Washington might just have a player on their hands.

"We always know Saahdiq had the skillset to do it. He's gotta stay healthy. That's probably the biggest thing right now for him. I mean that always seemed to be the issue. If you go back and look at the times he's played, um, something has come up whether it's been the calf, it's been the ankle, the shoulder. You just hope that he stays healthy because he has the skillset."

- Ron Rivera via Sports Illustrated

This represents a last-chance saloon scenario for Charles. Any further injury problems will likely see the Commanders go in a completely different direction in 2024.