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The Washington Commanders picked a huge, if controversial, victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. The win vaulted the Commanders to 5-5 on the year and just half a game behind the San Francisco 49ers in the race for the final NFC Wild Card spot.
Beyond that, the win was especially meaningful for Washington coach Ron Rivera, who lost his mother to lung cancer on Oct. 31. But for as big as the victory was for the Commanders, it may not have been their best news of the day.
That’s because the team received some hugely encouraging injury news regarding the status of star defensive end Chase Young, who has missed the entire season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Young suffered the injury last November in a Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chase Young To Return For Washington Commanders’ Week 11 Game Against The Houston Texans
Washington selected the Ohio State product with the second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He immediately repaid the favor. Young racked up 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a rookie, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a Pro Bowl selection. He returned to practice on Nov. 2, and now it appears he’ll soon be back in games.
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Young will return for the Commanders’ Week 11 game against the Houston Texans.
“There had been hope that Young would be able to return for Monday’s 32-21 win over the Eagles in Philadelphia, but on Friday defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio said Young was still not doing everything at full speed.
Washington coach Ron Rivera stressed on Saturday that the Commanders did not want Young back unless they were absolutely sure of his knee and said they were taking the long-term view with his situation.
“We won’t play him unless we feel he’s ready to roll,” Rivera said. “There are some things he’s not comfortable doing. … You can see his frustration because he wants it to happen now.” – via ESPN
With renewed energy and now their star defensive end, the Commanders could be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch.