Report: Saints' Chase Young to Have Surgery on Neck Injury After $13M Contract

Chase Young's tenure in the Big Easy appears to be off to a rough start.

Young, who signed his one-year, $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, is undergoing surgery on his neck injury and is expected to be sidelined into training camp, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"The expectation is that he will return in time for the season," Schefter added. "Teams were aware of his neck issue, and the Saints were comfortable moving ahead with it."

Young, who was selected by the Washington Commanders second overall in the 2020 draft, has been limited by injuries throughout his career.

The 24-year-old most recently suffered a stinger during a 2023 preseason game and missed Washington's season opener with a neck injury. He returned for Week 2 and ended up playing 16 games.

Washington traded Young to the San Francisco 49ers after a Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He became a free agent this offseason with the Commanders having declined his fifth-year option.

Young posted 7.5 sacks, two passes defended, 25 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 15 quarterback hits between the Commanders and 49ers last season.

He was much more effective for the NFC champion Niners, posting five sacks, one pass defended, 15 tackles, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits in seven games.

Prior to the 2023 season, Young missed one game as a rookie due to a groin injury and was limited to just 12 games between the 2021 and 2022 seasons after tearing his ACL.

Young's injury history is likely part of the reason he was signed to a "prove your worth" type of contract versus a long-term deal. If he has a successful 2024 season, he should be among the top pass rushers on the market next offseason.

The Saints will be hoping Young can stay healthy during the 2024 season after his neck heals from surgery. He's expected to improve the team's pass rush alongside Cam Jordan, Payton Turner and Carl Granderson.