Chase Young's absence from the start of the on-field workout portion of OTAs on Tuesday has sparked immediate backlash from The Sports Junkies, who labeled the Commanders defensive end as a "diva" the following morning.
On Tuesday after practice, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera told reporters that Young would be joining his teammates "eventually" and that Young "for the most part is working with his rehab." It's worth noting that Rivera told The Sports Junkies in January (post-ACL injury) that he expected Young to be at OTAs. A little over four months later, Young is not with his teammates in Ashburn as they begin OTAs.
It's also worth mentioning we have yet to hear from Young directly, only from Rivera, who's speaking for him. It's certainly possible that Young has a perfectly legitimate reason for continuing to conduct his rehab away from the team facilities.
"He's met the doctors," Rivera said Tuesday. "They've formulated a plan — he's completing that right now. We'll have him here eventually. I believe in the next couple weeks he'll be here."
Young suffered an ACL tear in Week 10 last November which, according to teammate Logan Thomas earlier this spring, required rehab on both of Young's legs because of the nature of the surgery, during which a portion of the patella from Young's non-injured knee was transplanted to his injured knee.
Young also did not attend OTAs in 2021, although that time it was not for injury but rather a busy offseason schedule that included multiple commercial shoots. The Sports Junkies weighed in with their thoughts after listening to Rivera's explanation for Young's absence this go-around.
"His plan is not to be at OTAs," John 'Cakes' Auville reacted. "That's his plan."
"'Eventually' and 'I believe,'" said John-Paul Flaim. "I believe."
"I think you hit on something. The communication ain't great," Eric Bickel said. "And Cakes hit on something. He's a diva."
"I just feel like Chase Young is used to getting his way," Auville said. "I'm sure that happened at DeMatha [Catholic High School]. I'm sure it happened at Ohio State. He was the number two pick in his draft. He's a coddled athlete. And you know what? I would probably be the same way if I were Chase Young. I would probably be exactly the same!"
"You kind of are," said Jason Bishop.
"I would want to go make money," said Auville.
"But at least [Cakes has] got 26 years in," Bickel retorted. "But the difference is like I think we've earned, in 26 years, the right to be a little spoiled, a little coddled, a little demanding. This guy's been here for a week! He's done nothing! He had a sack and a half last year in like 10 games!"
"You're supposed to be a Bosa!" said Auville, referring to pass rushers Nick and Joey Bosa, of the 49ers and Chargers, respectively, both of whom registered double-digit sack totals in 2021. The Bosas are brothers and, like Young, both attended Ohio State. All were top-three picks in their respective draft classes. "You're supposed to be at Bosa level."
Young was not the only player on the Commanders roster to miss practice yesterday. Terry McLaurin (contract dispute), Montez Sweat (personal reason) and Cam Sims (personal) were not in attendance, either, for various reasons.
In addition to their on-air segment, The Junkies conducted a Twitter poll asking their listeners if they believe Chase Young is a diva.
As of this writing, 1,066 respondents have weighed in, with 71.4 percent of them voting 'Yes' and 28.6 percent voting 'No.'
