Chase Young He doesn’t know what he should see or feel in order to decide if he wants to play football again.
“I’m just going have to feel it,” said he.
Young isn’t there yet. However, the star pass rusher and star has returned to the Washington Commanders To continue his rehabilitation of a torn right ACL, he will be using a practice facility. The 2020 Defensive Player of the Year didn’t participate in any on-field training. He is on track with his recovery plan and it’s impossible to know when he will return to the practice field fully healthy.
Young stated Wednesday that he wouldn’t set a deadline. Young said, “Obviously, I want to get back there as quickly as possible, but right now it’s just taking it one at a time. I’m improving fast. I know this. It’s important to take it one day at the time. It’s not possible to rush.
The season opener against Jacksonville is still three weeks away so there’s no rush. Young sustained his injury in Young’s knee 11 months ago. He also had ACL reconstruction surgery that included grafting a portion of his patellar tendon from his left leg to repair the tear.
Young dismissed concerns about rebuilding trust in two legs rather than one. However, the more complex surgery may explain why Young, Dr. James Andrews, team doctors, and trainers are cautious.
Young stated, “Everything’s going according to plan.” “I’m content where I am, and I’m confident in everything I’m doing moving forward.”
Young missed the first week’s voluntary organized team activities as he was training at a Colorado facility. Young, a 23-year-old Ohio State product, said this was because of the “tools & gadgets” that were available to him.
Charles Leno, offensive tackle, stated that as long as he’s getting his rehab done, it’s important. “We need him for Sunday, at the end. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Indonesia or here.
Young still had to attend the offseason workouts, even though he skipped them when he was healthy last year because he had other commitments. Young had 1½ sacks in eight-plus games last season before getting injured, struggles that contributed to Washington’s 2-6 start when the defense didn’t live up to lofty expectations.
Young spent Wednesday’s practice time in the Commanders facility. However, he was also out on the field near Jack Del Rio to hear the signals and see his teammates taking snaps. Young cheered on Montez Sweat, a fellow edge rusher. His presence was also notable as a leader.
Ron Rivera stated that having one of your veterans players, one the leaders, out and about in spite of him being rehabbing is good. It’s seeing the installations, seeing the tape afterward, which gives Young the opportunity to listen to coaches and point out the good and the bad. It’s a great way to learn.”
Young should take the lessons from his sophomore slump into his third professional year, but it won’t be obvious until September if any progress is made. Rivera felt a “awakening” in Young’s presence at OTAs last season.
The focus now is to ensure Young can return to 100% when it matters.
Rivera declared, “I am not the doctor.” Rivera stated that the doctor was happy with it. The plan is there, they are working on it, and once we get to training camp, we’ll find out where he stands.”