Will Commanders' Chase Young be activated vs. Texans?

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young may not make his 2022 season debut Sunday against the Houston Texans. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, despite early optimism, Sunday may be “too early” for Young to play.

If Young is not activated for Sunday, the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year won’t have much time to be ready. The 21-day window deadline to activate Young is Nov. 23. If he isn’t by then, he’ll get placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Young tore his ACL in Week 10 of last year on Nov. 14, 2021. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery. The procedure included using a graft from his left patellar tendon.

Young started this season on the physically unable to perform list. Washington designated him to return on Nov. 2. He’s practiced for three weeks but missed games against the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles in that time.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Commanders expected to activate Young this week. However, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera pushed back on the idea. Now it appears he may miss Sunday’s game against the Texans.

If Young get activated before the Nov. 23 deadline, he’ll be in line to play against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 27, one year after his knee surgery.