Chase Young injury update: Commanders star nearing return

The vibes around the Washington Commanders are much better than they have been in recent weeks, as Taylor Heinicke is fresh off leading a monumental upset of the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles. Washington is a half-game out of the postseason picture.

One player who has missed Washington’s 5-5 start has been standout defensive lineman Chase Young. While Jonathan Allen and others have held down the fort, the line feels incomplete without No. 99 causing havoc opposite Montez Sweat on the edge.

If Young can get back to his 2020 form, where he won Defensive Rookie of the Year, that defense could go to the next level Ron Rivera has been trying to push them toward. Young’s ACL recovery is almost complete, as he is just a few days away from returning.

According to Adam Schefter, Young is expected to play in a Week 11 clash against the Houston Texans, marking the first time in a year that Young will be on the field. The Commanders’ defense survived without him, but getting Young back is a huge battery in this team’s back.

Chase Young injury update: DE close to Washington Commanders return.

Young was unquestionably a disappointment in his second season before the injury, as he only had 1.5 sacks on the year before tearing up his knee against the Buccaneers. However, the flashes he showed in his rookie year prove that he’s cable of matching or exceeding every bit of hype he earned at Ohio State.

Considering the depth and quality of Washington’s defensive line, Young isn’t going to get smushed to the ground with double teams every other play. This could help him get back into a groove, as a knee injury can be extra tricky for explosive linemen to recover from.

Young is certainly not going to be eased back into things by his opponent, however. While the Texans may own the league’s worst record, they have one of the AFC’s best tackle duos between probable Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil on the left side and Tytus Howard on the right.

Young was drafted with the expectation that he would be a transformative leader for this defense. He certainly was as a rookie, but uncertainty is hovering over him. A strong finish to this season will show that he is fully back in business and ready to play a big role in getting the Commanders back to the playoffs for the second time in three years.

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