Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will not be ready to play in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL. Alex Brandon/Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. — Chase Young will not be ready to play Week 1 for the Washington Commanders, Coach Ron Rivera confirmed Friday in ruling out the standout pass-rusher for at least the season opener.
Young could miss more than just Washington’s first game, Sept. 11 against Jacksonville, if he goes on injured reserve or remains on the physically unable to perform list. The 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year is working back from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
“It’s unfortunate,” Rivera said. “But it was a serious injury, obviously, with surgery, and he’s doing everything he’s supposed to.”
Rivera said Young, who injured the knee Nov. 14 against Tampa Bay, did not have a setback in his recovery and is on schedule.
“He’s on time as far as where the doctors think he should be, and as he gets better and better we can update you,” he said. “But right now, he’s right where he needs to be.”
Rivera initially said he expected Young to start the season on the PUP list, which would mean missing the first four games of the season. After opening against the Jaguars, the Commanders play Detroit, Philadelphia and Dallas – games Young would also miss if he lands on IR.
Young had part of his left patellar tendon grafted into his right knee to help fix the tear. It’s unclear if that’s why he’s behind tight end Logan Thomas, who tore multiple ligaments in his left knee later last season, though Rivera called them different injuries.
Rivera has refused put a timeline on Young getting cleared to play.
BROWNS: The wait for a decision on potential discipline for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson following accusations of sexual misconduct will continue into another week.
Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that retired judge Sue L. Robinson is not issuing a ruling Friday on Watson’s disciplinary hearing that concluded a month ago. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.
Watson was accused of sexual harassment and assault by 24 massage therapists in Texas and has settled 20 of the civil lawsuits filed against him. Four lawsuits remain pending and the attorney representing the women has said he hopes to take them to trial sometime next spring.
Two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints stemming from the allegations.
Watson, who played for four seasons with Houston before being traded to Cleveland in March, has been practicing with the Browns while Robinson has spent weeks trying to determine whether the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy and whether to impose discipline.
The league argued for an indefinite suspension of at least one year during a three-day hearing in Delaware last month. The NFL Players’ Association pushed for no punishment, though a person familiar with Watson’s defense told the AP in June that a suspension is expected and the goal is to have Watson play this season.
Both sides submitted post-hearing briefs by July 12 and hoped for a decision before training camp opened this week. Robinson is carefully considering the case and isn’t held to a deadline.
CHIEFS: Founder Lamar Hunt used to tell his son, Clark, that his favorite place on the planet was Arrowhead Stadium.
If it’s up to the current chairman, the club will be there long into the future.
During his annual trip to training camp, Clark Hunt said that the preference of the Chiefs is to renovate the aging facility east of downtown Kansas City rather than build a new stadium. But that will depend on a number of studies that are examining the structural integrity of a building celebrating its opening 50 years ago this season.
“That would be our No. 1 priority,” Hunt said. “We’re going to evaluate all options, obviously. We have to figure out what’s best for the franchise, what’s best for the fan base. But it starts with evaluating Arrowhead and that’s where we’re at.”
The Chiefs have shared the Truman Sports Complex with the Kansas City Royals since the early 1970s, and each of their facilities has gone through extensive renovations financed in part by Jackson County taxpayers. But under the new ownership of John Sherman, the Royals appear to be leaning toward leaving the expanse of concrete parking lots for a downtown site near public transportation and restaurants, shopping and entertainment options.
JETS: Kwon Alexander is reuniting with Robert Saleh and providing the New York Jets’ linebacker corps with a veteran presence.
The 27-year-old Alexander signed a one-year deal with the Jets, a move that came after the team worked him out during the offseason.
“He’s a ball of energy, great leadership,” Saleh said a few hours before the signing was made official when Alexander passed his physical.
Alexander spent last season and part of 2020 with New Orleans after 1 1/2 years in San Francisco with Saleh as his defensive coordinator. He was drafted in the fourth round out of LSU in 2015 by Tampa Bay, where he played his first four seasons. Alexander was selected for the Pro Bowl after his third season in 2017.
BEARS: Center Lucas Patrick is out indefinitely because of a right hand injury, leaving a retooled offensive line without an important piece.
Coach Matt Eberflus confirmed that Patrick injured his right hand and said there is no timetable for his return.
JAGUARS: A day after undrafted rookie Andrew Mevis badly missed three field-goal attempts during training camp practice, the Jaguars waived him and signed free agent Elliott Fry.
Fry will now compete with Ryan Santoso for Jacksonville’s kicking job.
BRONCOS: Defensive tackle Derek Wolfe, 32, retired, saying a hip injury that required a second operation last month made it too hard to spend an 11th year in the league.
Wolfe, who was released by Baltimore in June with an injury settlement, signed a one-day deal with the Broncos so he could retire in Denver, where he spent eight seasons and won a Super Bowl after being picked in the second round of the draft out of Cincinnati in 2012.
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