Sep 11, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) looks on after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders activate DE Chase Young from PUP to 53-man roster

The Washington Commanders activated defensive end Chase Young from the physically unable to perform list on Monday.

The return of the former No. 2 overall draft pick has been in the works for some time. Young has not played in more than a year — since injuring his right knee (torn ACL and MCL) on Nov. 14, 2021.

Young was designated to return to practice on Nov. 2, opening a 21-day window for his return to the active roster. There were hopes he would be able to play in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles or Week 11 against the Houston Texans, but the Commanders held off before adding him to the 53-man roster.

Wednesday would have marked the end of the 21-day window, after which Young would have had to move onto season-ending injured reserve.

Coach Ron Rivera did not go as far as to say that Young will play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

“We will work him with the intent that he’s ready to play,” Rivera said. “If he’s not, then we’ll wait another week. He’s ready to go as far as being activated.”

Rivera said the most important thing is to see Young consistently and confidently “cut it loose” during practice.

“We want to make sure he’s confident, no hesitation,” Rivera said. “… You start to see it, especially when he’s not thinking about it. I watch it very closely and every now and then check to make sure it’s fine. We want to make sure because the last thing we want is for him to get back out there and hurt it again.”

Young recorded nine sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 70 total tackles in 24 career games (all starts) over his first two seasons. He was the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year after putting up 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three recoveries.

The Commanders (6-5) are coming off back-to-back wins against the Eagles and Texans and are in the thick of the NFC playoff race entering Sunday’s home game against the Falcons (5-6).

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) on the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Commanders DE Chase Young to return Sunday

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young is set to make his season debut Sunday against the Houston Texans, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The news comes one year and one day after Young tore his right ACL and MCL in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Young, 23, began the season on the physically unable to perform list and was designated to return to practice on Nov. 2, opening a 21-day window for his return to the active roster.

The Commanders (5-5) had hoped to have Young back for Monday night’s 32-21 victory at Philadelphia but he was still not practicing at full speed, according to defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

“We won’t play him unless we feel he’s ready to roll,” head coach Ron Rivera said Saturday. “There are some things he’s not comfortable doing. … You can see his frustration because he wants it to happen now.”

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Young had 7.5 sacks that season and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. He had 1.5 sacks in nine games last season before his knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) celebrates after a third down stop against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders DE Chase Young returns to practice

No. 99 is back on the field for the Washington Commanders.

The team designated pass-rusher Chase Young to return to practice for the first time this season on Wednesday.

The Commanders opened a 21-day window for the defensive end’s return to the active roster.

Young, 23, tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started the season on the physically unable to perform list and was first eligible to return for the team’s Oct. 9 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2020, Young had 7.5 sacks that season and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. He had 1.5 sacks in nine games last season before his knee injury.

Washington (4-4) has won three consecutive games by a total of eight points and faces the Minnesota Vikings (6-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) in its next two games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young on the field before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders DE Chase Young ready to make ’22 practice debut

Commanders defensive end Chase Young will practice for the first time this season on Wednesday, which opens the window for Washington to activate the former No. 2 overall pick from the physically unable to perform list.

Head coach Ron Rivera said the Commanders determined Young was ready to hit the field this week, and confirmed his first workout in a team setting would be Wednesday. Washington (4-4) has won three consecutive games by a total of eight points and hosts the Minnesota Vikings (6-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (7-0) in its next two games.

If the Commanders opt not to activate Young after the three-week window expires, he cannot be added to the active roster this season.

Young, 23, tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He started the season on the physically unable to perform list and was first eligible to return for the team’s Oct. 9 game against Tennessee, won by the Titans.

Rivera said the team’s green light comes only after Young visited renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews and was given medical clearance.

Young had 7.5 sacks as a rookie in 2020 when he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had 1.5 sacks in nine games last season before his knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (99) on the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders’ Chase Young to return to practice next week

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will return to practice next week, roughly 11 1/2 months after tearing is right ACL and MCL in a game last season.

Young has been on the reserve/physically unable to perform list since Aug. 23 as he continued his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery.

Commanders coach Ron Rivera said the 21-day practice window will be opened on Young next week. Young can be added to the active roster at any point in that window. The Commanders host Minnesota in Week 9.

Young, 23, tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was eligible to return for the team’s Oct. 9 game against Tennessee, won by the Titans.

Rivera said Young met with Dr. James Andrews on Thursday and “everything is positive” on the surgically repaired knee.

Washington selected Young with the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020, and he earned Pro Bowl and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season with 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 starts.

Injuries limited him to nine games last season, and he contributed 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Commanders (3-4) visit Indianapolis (3-3-1) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Injured Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young looks on from the bench against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders DE Chase Young (knee) out 4 games

Defensive end Chase Young will miss at least the first four games of the NFL season after the Washington Commanders placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list Tuesday.

Young, 23, tore his right ACL and MCL on Nov. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and had reconstructive surgery, and his recovery is continuing. Coach Ron Rivera previously said Young wouldn’t be ready for Week 1, when the Commanders open the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The first game he’s eligible to play would come Oct. 9 against the Tennessee Titans.

Washington selected Young with the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020, and he earned Pro Bowl and Defensive Rookie of the Year honors that season with 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 starts.

Injuries limited him to nine games last season, and he contributed 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

The Commanders are expected to replace Young with James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill.

Also Tuesday, the Commanders put backup center Tyler Larsen on the PUP list as he deals with an Achilles injury. They released wide receiver Kelvin Harmon and tackle Rashod Hill, and placed linebacker Nathan Gerry on the reserve/injured list.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) sits on a table at the bench during the third quarter after being injured against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington DE Chase Young to miss rest of season

Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a leg injury in Sunday’s 29-19 victory over Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Ron Rivera confirmed.

Rivera initially said Sunday it was “potentially his ACL,” however the coach labeled it a leg injury during his Monday video conference.

Young’s knee appeared to buckle as he was rushing Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady midway into the second quarter of Sunday’s game.

The reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year dismissed a cart and elected to limp off the field with the help of teammate Brandon Scherff and trainers. Young returned to the sideline on crutches during the third quarter.

Young, 22, has recorded 26 tackles, two forced fumbles and 1 1/2 sacks in nine games this season. He has 70 tackles, nine sacks and six forced fumbles in 24 games since being selected by Washington with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 14, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) is helped off the field by guard Brandon Scherff (75) after suffering an apparent injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Washington’s Chase Young injures knee vs. Buccaneers

Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter with a right knee injury.

Young’s knee appeared to buckle as he was rushing Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady midway into the quarter.

Young dismissed a cart and elected to limp off the field with the help of teammate Brandon Scherff and trainers.

Young, 22, entered Sunday’s game with 25 tackles, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks this season. He was selected by Washington with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Donald, Derrick Henry win PFWA awards

Aaron Rodgers was named Most Valuable Player and Aaron Donald and Derrick Henry were tabbed as the defensive and offensive players of the year by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) on Wednesday.

Rodgers won MVP honors for the third time (2011, 2014) after leading the Green Bay Packers to the No. 1 NFC playoff seed and throwing a career-high 48 touchdown passes.

Donald won Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons (2018) after another dominating season for the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense in 2020. He tied for second in the league with 13.5 sacks and forced four fumbles.

Henry led the league in rushing with 2,027 yards and added 17 touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans, earning Offensive Player of the Year. He’s the first Titans player to ever win the award and the first running back since 2017 (Todd Gurley).

The PFWA on Tuesday tabbed Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Washington defensive end Chase Young as the offensive and defensive rookies of the year.

Young led all NFL rookies in sacks with 7.5 and Herbert set NFL rookie records for touchdown passes (31) and total touchdowns (36).

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) fumbles the ball on a hit by Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young (99) in the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Chase Young explains why he called out Tom Brady

Washington Football Team rookie defensive end Chase Young doubled down on his comments regarding Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady on Wednesday.

As for Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion didn’t sound interested in stoking the fire.

Let’s start with Young’s comments on Sunday, when the 21-year-old was caught on camera saying: “Tom Brady, Tom Brady, I’m coming! I want Tom! I want Tom.”

Young didn’t back off on Wednesday, which is three days before fourth-seeded Washington (7-9) hosts the fifth-seeded Buccaneers (11-5).

“I play ball,” Young said. “I’m excited to go against the best. The media, their job is to stir it up. If you know me, I’m excited for every game. Tom Brady, you think I’m not excited to play against the G.O.A.T.? You trippin’. I’m not going to apologize for saying I want Tom. No, I want every quarterback I play against.”

Young has done his fair share of getting after the quarterback since being selected by Washington with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has collected 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks and a team-best four forced fumbles over 15 games during his Pro Bowl season.

Brady, 43, had no issue acknowledging Young on Wednesday.

“He’s obviously a great young player. We’ve got our hands full with that D-Line – one of the best D-Lines in the league,” Brady said. “Chase is a great young player — he went to Ohio State, so naturally I think that Ohio State-Michigan thing wears off on him a little bit. I understand that. We’re prepared for a tough challenge and it should be a fun game.”

–Field Level Media