The wait for Chase Young‘s 2023 debut is about to end. The Commanders removed the former No. 2 pick from the Friday injury report after he was given clearance to return to game action. 
Young will suit up for Washington’s contest against the Broncos on Sunday, as was hoped after he was ruled out for the regular season opener. The injury-plagued defensive end had been dealing with a neck stinger suffered in the preseason, and the team understandably gave him time to practice in a controlled environment to evaluate him before inserting him into the lineup.
The Ohio State alum practiced on a limited basis last week and this past Wednesday. Over the past two days, however, he was a full participant, proving he dealt with live contact as expected. Still, Young is likely to play on a pitch count in his return to the field, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson notes. Having him back in the fold will give the Commanders a boost along the defensive front, and provide Young the opportunity to put together a healthy campaign moving forward.
Doing so would be crucial considering how important the 2023 season is for Young’s future. The 24-year-old has been limited to just 12 games since winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. It thus came as little surprise when the Commanders declined his fifth-year option, a move which puts him on track for free agency. A productive year would set Young up for a multi-year commitment from the Commanders or at least make the franchise tag a viable option.
With 7.5 sacks as a rookie, expectations for continued career ascent have been present ever since. Young has managed just 1,5 since then, though, despite the presence of fellow former first-rounders Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Montez Sweat along the team’s defensive front. That quartet will be at full strength on Sunday, and plenty of attention will be on Young’s performance to begin his contract year.
As far as I’m concerned he needs to play his way back to starter. He most certainly is not living up to his Ohio State hoopla.