Commanders DE Chase Young (neck) has been removed from the injury report and is expected to make his season debut against the Broncos on Sunday.
Chase Young is primed for battle.
The Washington Commanders announced on Friday that the defensive end has been cleared and will play against the Denver Broncos in Week 2.
Young missed Week 1 due to a stinger suffered during the team’s first preseason game. The edge rusher was limited during Wednesday’s practice but got through two full sessions Thursday and Friday, clearing the door for his first action of the season.
“Very positive, a lot of good things throughout the week, and there’s a lot of confidence,” said Ron Rivera, the team’s coach. “Obviously, we have to be cautious because this is his first exposure to full contact, full-speed contact outside of what he had in practice this week.” And he had a fantastic week. I mean, the young man has put in a lot of effort. I believe he has completed the tasks that they required, which is a huge plus for us moving forward.”
Young will be on a snap count on Sunday, according to Rivera.
“We mostly have to be aware, and have a pitch count, obviously, but the biggest thing more than anything else is the young man has been just terrific from day one of training camp, worked his tail off, had the unfortunate [injury] where we had to put him down for a little bit, but now he’s back up,” he went on to say. “He’s been working hard, he’s done everything he needs to, he’s been chomping at the bit, so we’re excited for his opportunity.”
Injuries have ruined the former No. 2 overall pick’s career since winning the 2020 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year title. He tore his ACL during the 2021 season and didn’t return until the final three games of the 2022 season.
Young’s fifth-year option was declined by the Commanders due to his injury history, making him a free agent after this season.
Young has appeared in 27 games over three years, accumulating nine sacks and 75 tackles, the majority of which (7.5 sacks, 44 tackles) came in his first season.
Young will need to stay healthy for the majority of the season in order to strike an offseason pay day.
“I’m just trying to be the best Chase I can be,” Young explained on Friday. “Just trying to do my job, and trying to contribute.”
For a Washington defensive line that dominated Arizona in Week 1, generating a 39.4 pressure rate and stifling the run game, getting Young back on the field adds depth and dynamic to an already dangerous team.
