The New Orleans Saints recently signed edge rusher Chase Young in free agency, and not long after the announcement, it was revealed that Young would be undergoing neck surgery.
Young had the procedure last week and is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, but he will be sidelined during training camp.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen spoke about Young’s situation this week and seems perfectly comfortable with the young pass rusher heading into 2024.
“We knew that he was going to have this surgery,” Allen said, via John DeShazier of the Saints’ official team website. “And I think the good thing for all of involved was, everybody that we talked to felt like, it’s not a matter of if he’s going to heal and be fine. It was just a matter of when. And so, I think we’re comfortable with the timelines that we have and yet, it’s a human body. It’s going to heal at its own rate. But I know he’s going to do everything he can to get himself back and get himself ready as quickly as possible.”
Young, who played his collegiate football at Ohio State, was originally selected by the Washington Commanders with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign, racking up 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown en route to a Pro Bowl appearance.
The following year, however, Young lasted just nine games before tearing his ACL. He then appeared in just three contests in 2021 due to his recovery. He amassed a grand total if 1.5 sacks those two years.
Young appeared to be on his way to a bounceback season this past year after registering five sacks over his first seven games with the Commanders, but he was then dealt to the San Francisco 49ers at the trade deadline.
His production plummeted with the 49ers, as he logged only 2.5 sacks in nine contests.
Chase Young’s injury history and underwhelming performance overall are definitely concerning, but it’s just a one-year deal for the Saints.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
