Commanders reveal statuses on Chase Young, Logan Thomas for Week 12

The Washington Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons in just a few hours. Regardless of the result, this game has massive playoff implications. Perhaps the biggest talking point leading up to kickoff has been the status of Chase Young, who was promoted to the active roster just 24 hours before his activation window closed.

Though Young practiced all week, neither the player nor Ron Rivera had committed to the former second overall pick playing in Week 12. Young was hit with a questionable tag on Friday’s injury report, seemingly hinting that he’d make his debut barring any soreness from another full week of practice.

Carson Wentz is the other big injury fans have been monitoring. While designated to return to practice, the Commanders will roll with Taylor Heinicke and Sam Howell as its quarterbacks for at least one more week.

Late Saturday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it was unlikely Young would play, but Washington wanted to test him pregame before ruling him out. A few hours later, though, Young was downgraded to OUT for the game with an illness.

The good news is Logan Thomas, who was questionable coming in due to a rib injury and an illness, is active. Coming off his best game of the season in Week 11, Thomas will look to keep the momentum going against the Falcons.

Chase Young among Commanders Week 12 inactives

The following players will join Young on the sidelines vs Atlanta.

Cole Holcomb, LB

The Commanders placed Holcomb on injured reserve Friday, meaning he’s out the next four games at minimum. It’d be a surprise if the middle linebacker played again this season. He was scheduled to see a foot specialist, and the injury just hasn’t gotten better since he last played in Week 7. Not ideal at all for the defense.

Benjamin St-Juste, CB

Another big loss for the Commanders, St-Juste came up hobbled on Darrick Forrest’s acrobatic interception in Week 11 against the Texans. St-Juste downplayed the injury after the game, but Washington is exercising caution with the 2021 third-round pick, who’s enjoyed a strong second season. His absence leaves the defense thin at cornerback, and fans are right to question the plan to defend Drake London.

Dax Milne, WR/PR

Fans have been campaigning for Washington to experiment with a different return specialist on punts. They’ll get exactly that on Sunday, as Milne’s been ruled out with a foot injury. The most likely candidates to return punts in Milne’s wake are Alex Erickson Jahan Dotson and Danny Johnson, per Ron Rivera.

Chris Paul, OL

Paul has yet to play an offensive snap as a rookie. The rookie seventh-round pick will likely need an injury to be active on game day.

De’Jon Harris, LB

Harris has bounced around the practice squad throughout the year and has been active for a couple games. With no Cole Holcomb, Washington will continue rolling with Jamin Davis and Jon Bostic as its main linebackers.