Insider: Commanders, Chase Young having 'ongoing discussions' about return

Washington Commanders star defensive end Chase Young may not make his season debut against the New York Giants on Dec. 18, after all. 

"Their hope is that (Young) returns after the bye for their Week 15 game against the Giants," ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Wednesday. "But it's a situation to watch, as I'm told Young and the Commanders continue to have ongoing discussions about the right plan for Young's return to play. Both sides agree it's best to wait until he's completely 100%, and to this point, they have not felt comfortable putting him back into a game. Will that change in a week and a half? Maybe. But don't be surprised if there's another twist or two in this road before Young is back on the field for Washington." 

Young hasn't played in a meaningful game since he went down with what was said to be a torn ACL and MCL on Nov. 14, 2021. Washington activated him to the 53-man roster after Week 11 last month, but he subsequently missed a game against the Atlanta Falcons and this past Sunday's 20-20 tie at the Giants. 

Graziano's wording regarding "ongoing discussions" and "another twist or two" suggest Young and at least some within the Commanders may not be on the same page as it pertains to the 23-year-old seeing live action. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that what was once a 1-4 Washington team is now 7-5-1 during its bye and has a realistic shot at making the playoffs. 

Young earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for the 2020 season but had just 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four quarterback hits in fewer than nine total games last fall when he suffered a setback that, per Graziano, may still have him sidelined indefinitely.