New Orleans Saints fans have one more thing to be worried about ahead of the season opener. Chase Young suffered a calf injury in practice that puts his availability for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals in question.
The injury isn't expected to be anything long-term. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill first reported was the injury "isn't anything too serious." In his follow up, Underhill described the injury as "day to day" and added it "sounds like this weekend could be at risk."
From nothing serious to Week 1 could be at risk isn't as big of a change as it may sound on the surface. Young suffered the injury on Wednesday, so his availability for the next game being fluid is normal. There's no concern it will be a multi-week issue. If Young does miss this game, however, that's a major blow to the Saints' best defense versus Kyler Murray.
Losing Chase Young would be one of the toughest losses the Saints could suffer ahead of Cardinals game
One of the biggest missions in Week 1 is containing Kyler Murray and his legs. With Murray, he will run to run and run to pass. Either way the Saints will have to limit Murray's scrambling and off schedule plays. Who Dat Dish's own Drew Collings discussed the impact of allowing Murray to run around has on the secondary.
Collings' piece however was centered around Young's ability to bring down Murray, because it was Young that the Saints gave a new contract to. It's Young who is the Saints top pass rusher. The expectation is for him to bring down quarterbacks like Murray. Not only because of financial investment, but it's also because Young has the athleticism you want from an edge rusher against Murray.
Pressure shifts to Carl Granderson if Young can't play. Young's presence wouldn't strip Granderson of expectations. Having both players on the field would be ideal since they're both athletic pass rushers. Keeping Murray from extending plays is crucial for the Saints success and the job gets a little harder if Young can't play.