ASHBURN — Washington Commanders wide Terry McLaurin and defensive end Chase Young expressed optimism Wednesday that they’ll be available to play in Sunday’s season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals.
Both players were limited in Wednesday’s practice, but McLaurin (turf toe) and Young (stinger) said they were feeling much better after injuries sidelined them during the preseason. McLaurin got hurt in an Aug. 21 exhibition against the Baltimore Ravens, while Young exited after four snaps when he got hurt in Washington’s preseason debut in Cleveland on Aug. 11.
McLaurin and Young will need final clearance from Washington’s medical staff before knowing for certain they’ll suit up Sunday. But the progress made over the last few days appears to be an encouraging sign for the Commanders.
“’I’m feeling pretty good,” McLaurin said. “I’m confident with where things are right now, and I’m just going to continue to try to have a good day tomorrow, see how I feel waking up after today and take it from there. I’m a fighter, so I want to be out there with my guys.”
“I’m ready to go,” Young said.
Young said that he’s been cleared for contact, but has one final doctor’s appointment that will take place remotely. The appointment, he said, is still in the process of being scheduled. Asked if he was playing against the Cardinals, the pass rusher answered: “I do believe so.”
McLaurin also took a positive tone, but added he needed to see how his body felt the rest of the week in response to practicing. The wide receiver said he started feeling better Monday, when he came in on a scheduled off day to continue his rehab. McLaurin said he’s being careful to not risk re-injuring his toe, though told reporters there are ways to support his foot by taping his toes or wearing orthotics.
“If I didn’t feel like myself I would honestly tell the trainers that I’m comfortable being out there,” McLaurin said. “I think they trust my judgment. I think people know what kind of person I am. I’m not going to be somebody who — If I’m hurt, it’s because I’m hurt. … I feel confident that I can get to the place where I can have a chance to play this week.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of this week goes and going from there.”
Young and McLaurin were two of three players listed on Washington’s injury report. The only player to notice practice was wide receiver Dax Milne, who has been sidelined with a groin injury that he aggravated in the Commanders’ preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals.
If Milne — Washington’s punt returner — is unavailable, the Commanders could turn to old friend Jamison Crowder for return duties. Washington signed Crowder, the former fourth-rounder who played for the franchise from 2015 to 2018, to its practice squad Wednesday after the wide receiver visited a day earlier.
Crowder fielded nine punts last season for the Buffalo Bills.
Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Crowder would be an option if Milne is unavailable. As for McLaurin and Young, Rivera said the wide receiver’s workload would increase Thursday while Young has reps that are scripted for him to participate.
“It’s going to be all up to what happens with the doctor visit that he has coming up soon, and we’ll go from there,” Rivera said of Young. “But the young man is champing at the bit. He’s done everything that he possibly could, probably, and he’s getting himself ready to play. If he’s cleared, he will go.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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