Report: Commanders DE Chase Young to see doctor Sunday, could return Week 8

According to ESPN’s John Keim, Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will meet with Dr. James Andrews Sunday to re-evaluate his torn ACL in his right knee. If all goes well, Young could return to the field for Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts or the following week.

Young’s examination will occur as the Commanders host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Young tore his ACL in Week 10 of last season on Nov. 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He underwent reconstructive surgery instead of a repair, using a graft from his left patellar tendon.

The timetable for his return pushes to nearly a full year. It’s been a concerning length of recovery, considering some NFL players have returned in a much sooner timeframe, including Young’s teammate Logan Thomas.

Thomas tore his ACL and had other knee damage nearly a month later on Dec. 5. But Thomas started the season in uniform for Washington in Week 1.

Without Young and despite a 2-4 record, the Commanders’ pass rush has been one of the best in the league. Washington has generated an NFL-high 37.4 percent pressure rate with four or fewer pass rushers.

Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne are each in the NFL’s top five going into Week 7 among defensive linemen with pressure. All three coincidentally are first-round draft picks. Still, the Commanders want to get Young back on the field, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020 and Defensive Rookie of the Year.