Commanders' Chase Young must see doctor before potential return to practice

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said defensive end Chase Young still needs to meet with Dr. James Andrews for the team to determine a plan for Young’s return.

“Once that happens then we’ll know for sure when we can start his clock,” Rivera said, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press (h/t Ben Standig of The Athletic). “I think it’s going to happen early, coming up, so I don’t know if this week is a doable yet. But if it’s a doable, what we’ll do is we’ll start his clock and get him out of the field a lot like what we did with B-Rob. But I won’t know until that appointment.”

Young suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 10 last season. It was a devastating end to a disappointing season. The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year had just 1.5 sacks in 2021 in nine games before his ACL injury.

Young underwent reconstructive surgery that used a graft from his left patellar tendon. The Commanders placed Young on the physically-unable-to-perform list to start this season. He’s continued his rehab to get back on the field.

When he is cleared to return, the Commanders will have a 21-day window to play Young after activating him from the PUP list.

Young has missed Washington’s first six games of the season. But the Commanders’ pass rush has revved behind Montez Sweat without Young.

Despite a win Thursday against the Chicago Bears, the Commanders are on the brink of the season getting away. The sooner Young gets back on the field to strengthen the Commanders defense, the better.