Chase Young cleared, activated for Week 2

After missing the Washington Commanders’ Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals, edge rusher Chase Young is now cleared for play and active for Week 2, according to the team.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera told reporters that Young “had a very good week,” and though he’ll make his season debut against the Broncos, he’ll be on a pitch count.

Young has battled a neck injury since suffering a stinger in the team’s first preseason game in August. Since then, the former Ohio State star has been gradually working back toward returning to the field.

Coming off of an ACL tear, Young played in three games for the Commanders last season. He totaled five tackles.

The former first-round pick is now in his fourth year in the NFL. He has yet to complete a full season, totaling 75 tackles and nine sacks in 27 career games.

His rookie season was his most productive – and healthiest – as he racked up 44 tackles with 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

Commanders pass on Young’s fifth-year option

This summer, the Commanders opted not to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, which means he’ll become a free agent at the end of this season if the two sides don’t agree to a deal. Young opened up about his return from injury and the fact that the Commanders did not exercise his fifth-year option last. month.

“Not disappointing at all,” Young said, via ESPN. “I’m ready to go.”

The former Ohio State star told reporters he’s feeling “pretty explosive” coming off of the ACL tear.

“Night and day,” Young said of his health compared to last year. “Night and day. … My confidence, my strength. Everything.”

Young originally signed a four-year deal with Washington worth $34.5 million. After making one Pro Bowl in his first three seasons, the former Ohio State Buckeye was eligible for the second-highest level of benefits on his fifth-year option.

Defensive ends have the fourth-highest fifth-year option salary, behind quarterbacks, linebackers and wide receivers. The Commanders would have owed him $17.452 million for 2023. That number would have also been fully guaranteed.

The coaches clearly want to see Young reach his full potential once again before re-committing to him long-term.

“We just want to see him pick up where he left off,” Rivera said this offseason. “He was starting to play faster and faster and just love to see him get out there and really run around and kind of cut a loose and not be tentative. And that’s probably the biggest thing for him.”