Terry McLaurin and Chase Young could miss Week 1 due to injuries, according to the Commanders injury report.
Time is running out for Terry McLaurin and Chase Young to demonstrate their fitness.
Could the Washington Commanders’ 2023 season begin without wide receiver Terry McLaurin and defensive end Chase Young?
The Washington Commanders will kick off their 2023 season against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. After months of planning, FedEx Field is sold out for the first home game under Josh Harris’ ownership group, which promises to be a memorable moment for everybody involved.
This is an excellent opportunity for the Commanders to kick out their campaign on the right foot. The Cardinals are missing star quarterback Kyler Murray and are thought to be tanking based on previous personnel decisions, though no one would say that openly at this point.
With so many jobs at stake in 2023, Washington cannot afford to take anyone for granted. And the Commanders may have to start their season without two crucial figures.
Here’s what we know so far regarding Terry McLaurin and Chase Young’s whereabouts.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin’s status
In the second preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Commanders’ captain and the team’s heartbeat sustained a toe injury. X-rays came back negative, and according to various accounts, some in the organization believe McLaurin will be ready for Week 1.
Turf toe injuries are infamous for being tough to recover from. So there’s a good chance McLaurin won’t participate in the Commanders’ season opener against the Cardinals to give himself another week to heal.
Losing such a reliable pass-catcher would be devastating. The Commanders, on the other hand, have more than enough firepower to deal without the Ohio State product for one game against a team favored to hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Commanders will need McLaurin to heal swiftly, but they must also be cautious. If he does have to miss time, it’s hardly the end of the world in the grand scheme of things.
On the other side, the Cardinals don’t appear to be a particularly scary club this season. As a result, the Commanders may benefit from McLaurin’s absence, but I wouldn’t underestimate any opponent by expecting an easy victory.
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’s health worsens in 2023, his chances of a new contract are drastically reduced. The pass-rushing presence’s talent has never been an issue – it’s keeping him on the field for a long stretch of games – so missing such a huge event to begin such a make-or-break season isn’t a good look.
