Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) in the first half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Newly signed DE Chase Young to undergo neck surgery

Defensive end Chase Young, newly signed to a one-year, $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, will undergo neck surgery on Thursday, Sports Illustrated reported.

Recovery time is three to five months, which would make Young available for the start of the 2024 season, if he stays on schedule.

The Saints were aware of the issue, which is believed to stem from a stinger suffered in the 2023 preseason, and structured his contract accordingly, per the report.

Young is guaranteed to earn his $13 million in the event of a release. However, he will earn just over $5 million in base pay with a roster bonus of $470,000 per game, multiple outlets reported.

If he is active for all 17 games next season, he’d earn the additional $7.99 million on his contract.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by Washington, Young was dealt by the Commanders to the 49ers in exchange for a third-round draft pick last October. He played nine regular-season games for San Francisco, recording 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Young added 11 tackles in the 49ers’ playoff run, including a sack in the Super Bowl.

Young, 24, was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 after registering 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 games.

Still, his neck injury made it difficult to find a team willing to take the risk, per Sports Illustrated.

A torn right anterior cruciate ligament limited him to nine games in 2021 and three games in 2022. He bounced back to appear in seven games and start six times for Washington last year, producing 15 tackles and five sacks in those contests.

In 43 career NFL games (32 starts), Young has 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) in the first half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Saints land DE Chase Young, reportedly for 1 year, $13M

Defensive end Chase Young is headed to a third team in two years, signing with the New Orleans Saints on Monday.

According to multiple media reports, Young landed a one-year, $13 million deal, with the money fully guaranteed.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by Washington, Young was dealt by the Commanders to the 49ers in exchange for a third-round draft pick last October. He played nine regular-season games for San Francisco, recording 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Young added 11 tackles in the 49ers’ playoff run, including a sack in the Super Bowl.

Young, 24, was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 after registering 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 games.

A torn right anterior cruciate ligament limited him to nine games in 2021 and three games in 2022. He bounced back to appear in seven games and start six times for Washington last year, producing 15 tackles and five sacks in those contests.

In 43 career NFL games (32 starts), Young has 100 tackles, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and defensive end Montez Sweat (90) on the field against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

NFL trade roundup: Commanders sell; Vikings add QB Josh Dobbs

The Washington Commanders made the most noise at the NFL trade deadline, parting with starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Chicago Bears gave up a 2024 second-round draft pick for Sweat, and the San Francisco 49ers followed by trading a compensatory third-rounder for Young.
The two former first-round picks both will be free agents at the end of the league year.

Under the new ownership of Josh Harris — famed for green-lighting “the process” with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers — the 3-5 Commanders bid farewell to both Sweat and Young rather than trying to retain one or both on long-term deals. Tuesday’s trades will give Washington five picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 draft.

Young, 24, missed much of his second and third NFL seasons due to multiple injuries after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. He had five sacks in seven appearances (six starts) in 2023 and has tallied 14 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in 34 career games.

The 49ers (5-3), currently on a three-game losing streak, added Young to an imposing front seven that already features defensive end Nick Bosa, Young’s former Ohio State teammate and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa was the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft, one year before Washington drafted Young second overall.

Sweat, 27, has recorded 6.5 sacks in eight games this season and is one of seven players with at least 5.0 sacks in each of the past five seasons.

Part of the motive for the Commanders to make the trades was the cap crunch surrounding their haul of first-round picks at the position. Washington had previously signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a four-year, $72 million extension and his interior linemate Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million contract.

Other trades reported or officially announced Tuesday before the 4 p.m. ET deadline:

–The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Josh Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2024 sixth-round draft choice.

The Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins when he sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles injury on Sunday.

The Cleveland Browns had traded Dobbs to Arizona at the close of training camp as the Cardinals were forced to start the season without Kyler Murray, still recovering from ACL surgery.

Dobbs, 28, completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 1,569 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games for Arizona. He has thrown for 2,025 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight picks in 16 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Cardinals.

–The Vikings also dealt left guard Ezra Cleveland to the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, per multiple reports.

Cleveland, 25, missed the past two weeks with a foot injury, and former Denver Broncos starter Dalton Risner has held down the position in Minnesota.

Cleveland was a second-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2020, and he started all 17 games in both 2021 and 2022. He has made 53 appearances (49 starts) in his three-plus years in the NFL.

–The Detroit Lions acquired wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones from the Browns in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025.

Peoples-Jones, 24, has eight catches for 97 yards in seven games this season for the Browns, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2020 draft. He hails from Detroit and played his college football at Michigan.

“We feel like he fits our style,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters. “He’s smart and he can play multiple positions. … We just felt like he’d be a good fit for the team and the room.”

In four seasons with Cleveland, Peoples-Jones has 117 catches for 1,837 yards and eight touchdowns. His best season was 2022, with 61 catches for 839 yards and three touchdowns.

–The Buffalo Bills acquired veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas and a fifth-round draft pick from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a third-rounder on Tuesday, NFL Network and The Athletic reported.

Douglas, 29, heads to an AFC contender that lacked cornerback depth after Tre’Davious White suffered a torn Achilles and was lost for the season.

Douglas had one interception, one fumble recovery and 32 tackles in seven starts for the Packers (2-5) this season.

Green Bay is in rebuilding mode in Jordan Love’s first year at starting quarterback in place of Aaron Rodgers, while Buffalo (5-3) is in the thick of the AFC East race despite up-and-down performances.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) reacts after a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Report: 49ers land Chase Young from Commanders for third-rounder

The San Francisco 49ers acquired pass rusher Chase Young from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a third-round draft pick, multiple reports said Tuesday.

Hours after Washington reportedly moved edge rusher Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears for a second-round selection in the 2024 draft, the franchise bid farewell to the former No. 2 overall draft pick, who is playing out the fourth and final year of his rookie contract.

The Commanders (3-5) retained neither Sweat nor Young, who had combined for 11.5 sacks through the first eight games of the season.

Young, 24, missed much of his second and third NFL seasons due to multiple injuries after winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. He had five sacks in seven appearances (six starts) in 2023 and has tallied 14 sacks and 26 quarterback hits in 34 career games.

The 49ers (5-3), currently on a three-game losing streak, added Young to an imposing front seven that already features defensive end Nick Bosa, Young’s former Ohio State teammate and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

According to reports, the 49ers one of the third-round compensatory picks awarded by the NFL for developing minority coaching and executive candidates in DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon. Ryans went from defensive coordinator of the 49ers to Houston Texans head coach in the offseason and Carthon was hired as general manager of the Tennessee Titans out of the San Francisco front office. He served as the 49ers’ director of pro personnel.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) gestures on day three of Commanders training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders’ Chase Young cleared to play vs. Broncos

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young has been cleared to make his season debut Sunday against the host Denver Broncos, coach Ron Rivera said Friday.

Young sustained a stinger after just four plays in the Commanders’ preseason opener versus the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 11. He sat out Washington’s 20-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in the season opener.

“Obviously, we have to be smart because it is his first introduction to full contact, full-speed contact other than what he had in practice this week,” Rivera said. “And he had a very good week — the young man has worked his tail off. I think he’s done the things that they’ve needed to see, so that’s the real big positive for us going forward.”

Rivera noted that Young likely will be on a pitch count versus the Broncos.

Young, 24, tore his right ACL in November 2021. He missed the final eight games that season and sat out the first 14 games in 2022 while recovering from the injury.

The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has posted 75 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (26 starts). He was selected with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) shakes hands with fans while walking onto the fields prior to day three of Commanders training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders DE Chase Young out for opener vs. Cardinals

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will miss the season opener after he was downgraded from questionable to out on Saturday because of a neck stinger.

The Commanders host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Young injured his neck in the team’s preseason opener Aug. 11 at the Cleveland Browns. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Young has been practicing without pads but has not participated in any full-contact activities.

He was cleared Saturday for contact in practice but not for games, according to multiple media reports.

Young, 24, tore his right ACL in November 2021. He missed the final eight games that season and sat out the first 14 games in 2022 while recovering from the injury.

The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl selection has posted 75 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (26 starts).

Washington declined Young’s fifth-year option during the offseason, making the 2023 season crucial to his future with the team.

The Commanders also could be without defensive end James Smith-Williams, listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. On Friday, the team added defensive end William Bradley-King to the 53-man roster.

Bradley-King, 25, was released by Washington on Aug. 29 and signed to the practice squad the next day. He has totaled seven tackles and a half-sack in four games since being selected by the Commanders in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2023; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) gestures on day three of Commanders training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders DE Chase Young uncertain for opener

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young has not yet been medically cleared to return from a stinger that occurred in the preseason opener.

Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed after practice Thursday that Young’s status remains uncertain for the Sept. 10 season opener against the visiting Arizona Cardinals.

“The guy is practicing and doing everything we need him to do right now as he’s getting ready for the opener,” Rivera told reporters. “I have no idea what the doctor’s going to do, but I do know right now that he’s told him he can continue to progress and get himself ready to go. Until then, there’s nothing we can tell you, nothing we can say.”

Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been practicing without pads but has not participated in any full-contact activities since his Aug. 11 injury at Cleveland.

Rivera said Young’s status will be updated next week after a follow-up examination. It’s a positive sign that the team elected not to place Young on injured reserve, which would have kept him out the first four weeks.

Young, 24, tore his right ACL in November 2021. He missed the final eight games that season and sat out the first 14 games in 2022 while recovering from the injury.

The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has posted 75 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (26 starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) and defensive end Montez Sweat (90) on the field against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders could use DE Chase Young to trade into top 10

Commanders defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat could be used as trade bait as Washington attempts to work into the top 10 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, ESPN reported.

Young was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and Defensive Rookie of the Year with 7.5 sacks in his first season in the league.

But he played only 12 games in the past two seasons because of injuries.

Young turned 24 earlier this month, meaning he is just one year older than incoming rookie pass rusher Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech).

The fifth-year contract option would have paid him a fully guaranteed $17.452 million for the 2024 season.

The Commanders reportedly are targeting quarterbacks who could be available early in the draft, including Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Kentucky’s Will Levis and Florida’s Anthony Richardson.

Sweat was second on the team with eight sacks last season. He has 29 career sacks since Washington selected him with the 26th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. Sweat, 26, is entering the final year of his contract with a base salary and cap hit of $11.5 million.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders not exercising Chase Young’s option

The Commanders are not going to exercise the fifth-year option for defensive end Chase Young, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has played only 12 games in the past two seasons because of injuries.

The fifth-year contract option would have paid him a fully guaranteed $17.452 million for the 2024 season.

Barring a new long-term deal with the Commanders before then, Young will now become a free agent next March.

Young made the Pro Bowl and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with 7.5 sacks in 15 starts.

He tore the ACL and patellar tendon in his right knee in Week 10 of 2021, a season-ending injury that also knocked him out for most of 2022.

Young, who turned 24 this month, has recorded nine sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 75 tackles, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (26 starts).

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Injured Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young  stands on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders’ Chase Young to make season debut vs. 49ers

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is off the injury report and set to make his season debut against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, coach Ron Rivera announced.

Young, 23, has been sidelined since tearing his ACL and rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee in a game on Nov. 14, 2021.

He was able to start practicing on Nov. 2.

“He felt really good this week. I think seeing Dr. (James) Andrews was the last final thing just to get him over the hump,” Rivera said on Thursday. “He practiced with confidence. He showed us that he was willing to stick that leg in the ground and roll off it. Plant it, cut off of it. He had a good week so we’re pretty excited about it.”

Young has recorded nine sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 70 total tackles in 24 career games (all starts) since being selected with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year after putting up 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three recoveries.

The Commanders will be hoping for Young to make a big impact down the stretch.

While the 49ers (10-4) have clinched the NFC West and a playoff berth, the surprising Commanders (7-6-1) are sitting as the seventh seed in the conference entering Week 16 play. They close the season with home games against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 1 and Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 8.

–Field Level Media