Commanders DE Chase Young Says ‘Long Time Coming For Me’ After Season Debut

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young was able to shed the frustrations of his most recent injury and have an impactful debut to his season.

DENVER, Co. — The Washington Commanders are leaning on a message of resilience after escaping their Week 2 contest against the Denver Broncos with a 35-33 win. 

Resilience isn’t just what the Commanders demonstrated on Sunday, however, it’s a part of who they are across the roster. 

Whether its quarterback Sam Howell bouncing back from some typical young quarterback miscues, or just the earn everything spirit safety Jeremy Reaves has embodied on his path to becoming an NFL All-Pro and team captain, there are plenty of models of resiliency wearing burgundy and gold these days. 

The most recent, and perhaps the most prolonged example might come in the form of defensive end Chase Young, who made his season debut in Week 2 after suffering a neck injury in Week 1 of the preseason.

“It’s been a long time coming for me,” Young said. “Just a blessing just to be running around on the field, being out there relying on the guys. I think that was the most exciting thing.”

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young trying to tackle Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson

Young found a way to turn his own blessing into his team’s as he contributed 1.5 sacks in a comeback effort, matching his 2021 production at the time he was first injured in Week 9 of that year. 

Since that injury sidelined him for over a year Young has been surrounded by frustration, speculation, and a dwindling section of fans who still believe he will deliver on the promise showed when Washington made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

That crowd may be growing again after his first performance of the year, coupled with another 1.5 sacks by friend and teammate defensive end Montez Sweat who is currently on a record-setting sack pace. 

Those three sacks helped the Commanders get back on track after coming out looking scattered while allowing three touchdowns on the Broncos’ first three offensive possessions. 

As unlikely as the comeback may have been when Denver held a 21-3 lead, Young says the team never had that feeling.

“We never really let it hit us,” Young said when asked about the feel on the sideline while trailing by 18 points. “They came out with a lot of trick plays here and there really. It’s not like they were running the ball down our throat. So you know, second half, they ran out of those little plays. We practice on, just keep chopping wood, just keep coming, and that’s what we did. We just continue to go.”

The Commanders defense got back on track and looked dominant for most of the final two and a half quarters. 

They’ll need a full game of dominance in Week 3 however, and will need to ‘chop wood’ from the start, with a dangerous Buffalo Bills offense coming to town next weekend.

With Young back, and Sweat rolling, Washington now has renewed belief it could - and even should - happen.