Best remaining free agents for Commanders if Chase Young goes on IR

The Washington Commanders reported for training camp on Tuesday, but the excitement was hushed after the injury report was released.

Per a team release, Chase Young, Logan Thomas, Chase Roullier and Tyler Larsen will all open camp on the physically unable to perform list. The Commanders will also be without swing tackle Cornelius Lucas, who was placed on the active/non-football injury list for unknown reasons.

A silver lining? Roullier is the closest of those players to returning. With a new quarterback in Carson Wentz, it’s imperative the Commanders get their starting center back in the starting lineup as soon as humanly possible.

The not-so good news? Young has no timetable to return and his injury, which was apparently different than Thomas’ ACL tear, per Rivera, is taking longer to heal. As a result, Thomas is ahead of Young in their respective rehabs, and it’s unclear when we might see the former second overall pick back on the field.

ESPN’s John Keim floated the possibility of Young starting the season on injured reserve, which would knock him out the first four games. After this disappointing update, IR doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility for Young.

With that in mind, let’s highlight the best remaining free-agent edge rushers Washington could sign in the meantime.

Will Commanders star Chase Young start the year on IR?

Before we rip through the best available free agents, let’s say this: the Commanders could easily not sign another defensive end. Montez Sweat is talented enough to carry the load on one side of the line and Jonathan Allen (9.5 sacks in 2021) is one of the best pass-rushing interior defenders the NFL has to offer.

Having said that, Sweat could see regular double teams if Washington’s backups — including James Smith-Williams, Efe Obada and Casey Toohill — struggle to generate pressure. Should the team really run the risk of its pass rush being neutralized?

We’re not saying they should sign a three-down player, but perhaps a veteran looking for a part-time role who can start until Young’s cleared.

Best remaining free agent edge rushers

Anthony Barr

Barr isn’t an edge rusher by trade, but he has the versatility to put his hand in the ground and take the form of a DE. In fact, he lined up on the DL for 96 snaps last year and it (likely) would’ve been more had he played more than 11 games.

Barr would be our preferred signing regardless if Young goes on IR, as he’d knock out two birds with one stone given his reputation as a three-down linebacker and we all know Washington could use another LB behind Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis.

UPDATE: Dunlap has signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

Carlos Dunlap 

Tough to think of a better potential pickup for Washington than Dunlap, who appeared in 17 games but started only two in 2021. At 33 years old, the two-time Pro Bowler is no longer a three-down player, but he he’s still capable of wrecking a game, as evidenced by his 8.5 sacks and 35 pressures.

Dunlap has tallied at least six sacks every season dating back to 2011. For anyone scoffing at the idea of signing another capable DE, Young played 80% of the snaps when he was on the field last year, while Sweat managed a 69% share.

There’s plenty of snaps to go around and Dunlap would quell all concerns should Young begin the campaign on the shelf.

Jason Pierre-Paul 

Pierre-Paul is the final name on this list, which speaks to how bereft the market as teams begin training camp. A former first-round pick and two-time champ with the Giants, Washington has seen plenty of JPP over the years.

Now 33 years old, Pierre-Paul is still a productive player. From 2018-20, he notched 30.5 sacks and 50 quarterback hits with the Bucs before a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness last season (three sacks and 24 pressures in 12 games).

JPP underwent surgery this offseason to repair the damage, so Washington would have to clear him medically before signing him, but the team could use an experienced pass rusher like the three-time Pro Bowler to fill the void while Young works his way back from his own surgery.

If the Commanders have any concerns about Young hitting injured reserve, they need to act fast because these guys won’t be around by the end of camp.

What do you think, Commanders fans? Would you sign any of these free agents or stick with Obada, Smith-Williams and Co. until Young returns?