3 free agents Washington must call after Chase Young injury

The Washington Football Team was in high spirits following their season-defining win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Unfortunately, though, those celebrations weren’t as lively as fans would have hoped after Chase Young’s bone-chilling knee injury. The star edge rusher suffered the injury, which appeared to be non-contact, on a pass-rushing snap and was swiftly ruled out after being assisted to the locker room.

Young was spotted with crutches on the sidelines in the second half, and initial reports indicated he suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

While addressing the media on Monday, head coach Ron Rivera confirmed fans worst fears. Young’s second year in the NFL is over. He finished with 16 run stops, 1.5 sacks, five QB hits, 23 pressures, 16 hurries and two forced fumbles.

With Washington also down Montez Sweat, who landed on IR with a non-displaced jaw fracture last week, for the next few weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising if they turned to the free agent market for some reinforcements.

We know the market is slim pickings this late in the year, but these three players could help fill the gaping hole on Washington’s DL.

Washington Football Team: 3 FA replacements for Chase Young

3. Bruce Irvin

We know what you’re gonna say. Bruce Irvin is 34 years old and is coming off a double surgery to a torn ACL he suffered last September. He also came out on Twitter and said he’d retire if he didn’t return to Seattle, where he was drafted No. 15 overall in 2012 and won a Super Bowl in 2014.

Why would Washington even think of signing him? While there isn’t a ton of upside with this move, it seems noteworthy that Irvin enjoyed maybe the best season of his career in 2019 under Ron Rivera in Carolina.

If Irvin’s former head coach gave him a ring, surely he would at least give him a chance to sell him on the idea of playing for Washington, no?

In 2019, Irvin contributed 36 tackles (eight for loss), 8.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, 24 run stops, 20 hurries and 36 total pressures. Those numbers are nothing to sniff at, and they helped him garner serious Pro Bowl consideration before he ultimately fell short to the likes of Cameron Jordan, DeMarcus Lawrence and Danielle Hunter.

There are definitely some red flags that would come with adding Irvin, but he’s a consummate professional, willing leader and has produced regardless of who he’s played for throughout his career. Throw in the fact that he flourished under Rivera’s tutelage just two years ago and this is a move we’d sign off on.