Commanders DE Chase Young 'Ready to Rock' in Week 2

The Washington Commanders got some good news Friday as Chase Young was cleared in time to help them get a win in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos.

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young has had a roller-coaster career going from franchise savior after being drafted No. 2 overall to a player many fans have grown frustrated with.

After tearing up his right knee in 2021 Young's journey back to the field for the Commanders became a will-he-won't-he saga prior to his eventual return to the field Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers. 

That game was a loss for Washington, but it was widely considered a win for Young and the future of the team. 

Then came the stinger suffered against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason that cost him the rest of that and the first game of the regular season. 

"I'm feeling blessed, man," Young said Friday after it was announced by coach Ron Rivera that he'd been cleared for the weekend and will play Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. "Ready to rock."

Sergio Estrada, USA Today

It's a big shot in the arm for a team traveling to the altitude of Denver, Colorado to face a roster looking to bounce back from their own disappointing Week 1 loss. 

Both the Broncos and Young are looking for redemption stories, but it's the player who has had to wait for his shot at getting on the field.

"Obviously I want to play every game...but it’s all good - my time will come," Young said. "Now it’s time to go play, so I’m definitely just blessed to be out there."

Young wasn't able to notch a sack in the three games he played in 2022, but came into training camp this year looking faster and more explosive than ever. 

A result, Young says, of his offseason workouts with personal coaches and fellow Commanders defensive end Montez Sweat.

While Young missed Week 1, Sweat terrorized the Arizona Cardinals to the tune of 1.5 sacks and multiple tackles for loss. 

With his running mate back, the duo is now looking to take the defensive line to the next level and planning on bringing a 'W' back from Denver.