METAIRIE, La. — Saints defensive end Chase Young practiced Wednesday for the first time since straining his calf just days before the regular-season opener and said he's “hopeful” that he'll be able to play against New England on Sunday.

“I like my chances," Young said.

Young's five-week absence to start the season came in the first year of a three-year contract worth about $51 million.

“Those things you can’t really control. So, I just control what I can control and that’s getting right,” Young said, adding that the length of his absence from practice “was kind of a group decision.”

“A lot of people you see with a calf, they’ll reaggravate it,” Young said. “At 280 (pounds), getting off the ball. I’m an explosive guy. I just got to make sure everything is all the way together.

“Me the

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