Chase Young to make season debut against 49ers

ASHBURN — Chase Young will make his long-awaited season debut Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, coach Ron Rivera said Thursday. 

Rivera said he saw a lot of “positive things” from Young in practice this week, adding that the Washington Commanders’ pass rusher will be good to go. The 23-year-old hasn’t played in a game since November 2021, when he suffered a significant knee injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Young is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament and ruptured patellar tendon, slowly working his way back into the fold.

Young will still be on a strict pitch count of 12 to 16 snaps when he makes his debut, Rivera said.

“It’s now,” Rivera said of Young. “He felt really good this week. Seeing Dr. [James] Andrews probably was the last final thing (he needed) to just get him over the hump. He practiced with confidence. He showed us confidence, that willingness to stick that leg into the ground and roll off it, plant it and cut off it.  

“He had a good week, so we’re pretty excited about that.” 

Young met with Andrews, the surgeon who operated on the 23-year-old, at FedEx Field before Sunday’s loss against New York Giants. The Commanders activated Young to the active roster back on Nov. 21, but the team took its time in reincorporating the former edge rusher into practice. Specifically, Rivera said he was waiting for Young to be able to “cut loose and just, ‘Go!’” 

The Commanders finally saw that this week. Young declined to speak to reporters Thursday, but indicated a day earlier that he was close to returning. He said he “definitely” was able to cut loose and was remaining patient. 

“Every day I feel I’m getting better,” Young said. “Every day I feel like I’m getting stronger and more comfortable. Just gotta keep going and continuing on that.”

Young’s addition, no matter how limited his reps may be, could still be a huge benefit for Washington — especially if he resembles anything close to the player that won the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2020. But Young is coming off a down season in which he recorded only 1½ sacks before his knee injury. 

Washington’s defensive line, too, has bounced back this season. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen made the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, while defensive tackle Daron Payne and edge rusher Montez Sweat were named as alternates. According to Pro Football Reference, the Commanders’ defense ranks first in quarterback knockdown percentage, seventh in pressure percentage and 16th in sacks. 

Young’s return also comes at a crucial time for the Commanders, who are desperate to hold onto a playoff spot. At 7-6-1, Washington currently holds the seventh seed, but the 7-7 Detroit Lions and 7-7 Seattle Seahawks trail only by a half-game with three games left.

“It’ll be a real big lift,” Rivera said when asked about what it’ll do for Young knowing that he’s available. “Honestly, that’s why we decided now is the time to tell [the media.] Just so it doesn’t become that distraction … We want you guys to be able to tell everybody, ‘Hey, he’s ready to roll. Let’s go.’”