Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will make his season debut Saturday against the San Francisco 49ers, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera announced.
Young hasn’t played a game since tearing his ACL on November 14, 2021. The 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year rehabbed throughout the offseason. However, he started the season on the physically unable-to-perform list.
The Commanders activated him on Nov. 21, over one year after his injury. Yet, Young didn’t suit up immediately, as the team held him out for three additional games.
On Wednesday, Young said he felt better but was sticking to the Commanders’ plan. On Thursday, Rivera announced Young finally suit up Saturday and be on a pitch count.
Young had to overcome physical and mental hurdles to get cleared.
“He felt really good this week. I think again seeing Dr. [James] Andrews probably was the last final thing that just to get him over the hump. He practiced with confidence. He showed us he was [willing] to stick that leg in the ground and roll off of it, plant it and cut off of it,” Rivera told reporters, per The Athletic’s Ben Standig.
Shortly after the news broke, Young posted an image of him with bandages and braces on each of his legs.
Young told reporters earlier this week he would eventually detail his ordeal to explain to fans what took so long for him to get on the field.
The image illustrated how Young had a graft taken from his left patellar tendon as part of his surgery. In August, theScore’s Jordan Schultz reported Young ruptured his right patellar tendon in addition to the torn ACL.
All eyes will be on how much Young can impact the Commanders’ defense as the team pushes for a wild card playoff spot. Can he plant his leg repeatedly throughout a game and play with confidence?
The Commanders’ defense is third in yards allowed and eighth against the pass. The defensive line has been the catalyst for Washington’s surge toward the playoffs. Still, getting Young back healthy will surely give the defense a lift for the final three games of the regular season.
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