Commanders' Chase Young Not Activated, Won't Return from Knee Injury vs. Texans

Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young will not be activated from injured reserve prior to Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there had been "optimism" that Young would play Sunday, but instead the team has until Wednesday to activate Young or else he will not be eligible to play this season.

Young has yet to make his 2022 debut after suffering a torn ACL in November 2021.

Schefter reported earlier this week that Young was expected to be activated ahead of Sunday's game.

The Commanders have taken a cautious approach with their pass-rushing superstar, though, and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio told reporters last week that Young still wasn't doing everything at full speed.

Washington selected Young with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Ohio State, and he immediately established himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Appearing in 15 games as a rookie, Young finished with 44 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four passes defended, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries en route to being named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler.

Young was not on the same pace last season before getting injured, registering 26 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in nine games.

With Young on the shelf, the defensive tackle duo of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen has led the way in terms of rushing the passer this season. Payne leads the team with 5.5 sacks, and Allen is second with 4.5.

Montez Sweat is the Commanders' top outside pass-rusher with four sacks, while defensive end Efe Obada and linebacker Jamin Davis have three each.

As a team, the Commanders are 16th in the NFL this season with 24 sacks, meaning they could significantly benefit from the boost Young would provide.

Young's next chance to return will come next week, when Washington hosts the Atlanta Falcons.

Even without Young, the Commanders have been one of the NFL's hottest teams, winning four of their past five games, and they have a chance to creep over the .500 mark with a win over Houston.