Former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young is turning heads at New Orleans Saints training camp.
Coming off neck surgery, Young was cleared for practice on July 22 and has participated in team drills this week. Coach Dennis Allen cooed about the presence the edge rusher can bring.
"He's certainly ahead of where we thought he was going to be at this point in time and so, I think the ramp up for him is just every day, you're going to see a little bit more," Allen said, . "Now, what's a little bit more? Well, it may be a couple more reps each period until finally, we're ready to fully incorporate him into the whole deal.
"I haven't seen any limitations at all out of him, other than it's really kind of been a while since he's really been playing real football. Just trying to get his football legs up under him a little bit, and I like the progress."
Young has flashed athleticism and power during team drills and has given rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga some welcome-to-the-NFL moments during one-on-one drills. Nearly every beat reporter Young's presence in camp this week.
"I would say he's exceeded my expectations to this point, just in terms of, I didn't really know the player," Allen said. "I knew of him coming out of Ohio State, the talent that he was, and saw him play in our league. But I didn't really know him personally.
"Just the way that he's gone about his business, the way that he has come to work every day -- he's done everything we've asked him to do, the way we've asked him to do it, never has there been any sort of kickback on anything. I've been really pleased with that part of it. And I think as you watch practice, I think you can feel it when he's out there."
Injuries derailed the second and third years of Young's career when he played just 12 games over two campaigns. Finally looking healthy to start last season in Washington, the edge rusher was traded to San Francisco, which viewed him as an ideal complement to Nick Bosa. Things didn't turn out as expected. Young earned just 2.5 sacks in nine regular-season games. He also earned one postseason sack, taking down Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl loss.
Young played through the neck injury last year, knowing offseason surgery was coming. He inked a one-year, prove-it deal in New Orleans in the offseason.
"Feels good to get out and practice with the guys," Young said Wednesday. "I was just doing what I had to do to help speed up my recovery process. What I did, it worked and it was great."
The Saints have a glaring need on the edge opposite 35-year-old Cameron Jordan. Young and New Orleans hope the former Defensive Rookie of the Year remains healthy, has a bounce-back campaign, and will cash in next offseason.
