Healthy Chase Young another piece of Commanders' revival - ESPN

ASHBURN, Va. — The most noteworthy thing defensive end Chase Young shed in training camp wasn't a blocker — it was the brace that had covered his right knee late last season and into the spring. That, the Washington Commanders hope, will lead to a Young revival — similar to what's taking place with their fan base after the ownership change.

Young, the 2020 second overall pick and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, missed all but the final three games last season after tearing the ACL and rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee. He had just 1.5 sacks in nine games before the injury in November 2021; he did not record any in his final three games.

But ditching the brace was part of his mental recovery. He used it during minicamp, but started working out without it before training camp.

«It was just time to take it off,» Young said. «I feel myself; I feel good.… I'm feeling explosive.»

Two days of practice without pads can only reveal so much, but coaches and teammates say they see a difference in Young.

«You see the get-off,» Washington coach Ron Rivera said. «Last year he was hesitant, a little tentative. Last year it took a while before he got out there, and now you see him completely moving around with more confidence and you see him finishing as well.»

Washington declined to pick up Young's fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the 2023 season. However, a team source said, they have told him if he produces the way they hope, they would reward him.

To prepare for a pivotal season, Young spent part of his offseason with Baltimore Ravens receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who also had to deal with an ACL injury. Young also worked out at Ohio State with his former position coach, Larry Johnson. Young refers to