Chase Young envisioning return after bye week
Could this be the week when Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young makes his much-awaited 2022 debut?
Young tore his ACL last November and was activated to the 53-man roster last month ahead of Washington's Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons. However, the Commanders didn't play Young in either of the next two games before the bye week.
Young practiced Wednesday ahead of the team's matchup against the New York Giants. He spoke to the media about how he's preparing for his eventual return to the gridiron.
"I've been envisioning it a lot," he said. "I'm envisioning getting a sack. I've been envisioning getting in the the backfield. You gotta envision it before you do it. So I've been envisioning everything."
On Tuesday, head coach Ron Rivera met with the media and gave the latest update concerning the star defensive end.
"Chase has had a good few days. Last week, he did a lot of work and then saw him this morning," Rivera said. "Had a nice chance to talk with him, I think he's in a good place right now, and I think he should have one of those things where he progresses and ramps himself up into the weekend. So I'm pretty excited for that."
Rivera didn't say anywhere that he expects Young to play. Young's progress encourages him, but his availability for Sunday night might not be determined until sometime on game day.
As Rivera stated before the bye, Washington's defensive line play has been so outstanding that the team realizes it can be extremely cautious with Young's return.
Paste BN Sports+ producer Victoria Hernandez contributed to this story.