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Practice report | Ron Rivera provides positive update on Chase Young

10262022 Week 8 Wednesday Practice KC14659

Chase Young was not on the field for the Washington Commanders this week, as many believed he would be, but that does not mean there has been a lack of progress from the defensive end. 

In fact, things are going quite well. 

Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed during his Thursday press conference that Young had a positive meeting with the doctors today and is still on track to return to practice next week and eventually make his 2022 season debut. 

"The doctor is very happy with it," Rivera said of Young's meeting with the physician.  

Rivera is referring to the team starting Young's 21-day period where he is allowed to be placed on the roster after being designated to return to practice. Young was placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list before Week 1, meaning he had to miss the first four games of the season. 

Per league rules, Young was allowed to return ahead of the team's game against the Tennessee Titans, but the Commanders made the decision that his injury would need more time to heal.

That caution was what slowed the Commanders from designating him to return this week. Young had a heavy workload on Sunday, but the doctor wanted him to slow things down for one more week.

Assuming he is activated for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, Young would provide a boost on multiple fronts to the Commanders' defensive line and team overall. Young is an emotional leader for the team, and while he has not been able to practice with his teammates, Taylor Heinicke said he still roots for his teammates.

"You always hear him at practice and he's not practicing, but he's right there in it and he gets the guys juiced up," Heinicke said. "It's always fun seeing Chase go out there and do his thing. We're hoping he can come back soon."

The defensive line is currently playing some of its best football with 19 sacks, which is tied for seventh in the NFL. According to Football Outsiders, the group's adjusted sack rate (8.2%) is also seventh in the NFL.

It is unknown how long it will take for Young to get up to speed, but it is a guarantee that having the 2020 No. 2 overall pick will certainly bolster the group.

Here are some more notes from Thursday:

-- Rivera does not anticipate that Jahan Dotson will be available on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Dotson was a nonparticipant on Wednesday and Thursday. He has been working with the trainers running on a submerged treadmill to remove some of the tightness in the hamstring he tweaked in practice last week.

-- Jonathan Allen was not a practice today, but it was for a veteran's day off, so there is no concern about him being available for Sunday.

-- Rivera said that Cole Holcomb has a foot sprain that has kept him out of practice this week. The team has been trying to keep him off it as much as possible to help it heal. Washington will determine if he is able to play on Friday.

-- The Commanders have faced a bevy of talented running backs this season, from Derrick Henry to Miles Sanders. Next up is Jonathan Taylor, and Daron Payne said the defensive line is focused on staying sound in its technique.

"Bring it every play, honestly, and that should stop him."

Washington Commanders
Table - Injury report
Player Injury Game status
Saahdiq Charles
Saahdiq Charles
Illness Questionable
Jahan Dotson
Jahan Dotson
Hamstring Out
Cole Turner
Cole Turner
Concussion Out
Dyami Brown
Dyami Brown
Groin Questionable
Logan Thomas
Logan Thomas
Calf Questionable
Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams
Knee Not_Listed
With the 51st pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Washington Football Team added more depth to its offensive line by taking Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi.

Cosmi (6-foot-6, 314 pounds) bulked up by 50 pounds after redshirting his freshman season and emerged as one of the best offensive linemen in the Big 12. He played in 35 games with 34 starts and is a two-time All-Big 12 selection (second-team in 2019 and first team in 2020). Cosmi was also an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in both seasons.

Cosmi is known for having the ability to work well in space against linebackers and defensive backs. His athleticism was put to good use by the Longhorns in several ways, including running in a touchdown against West Virginia on a trick play.
Sam Cosmi
Finger Not_Listed
Originally selected by Washington in the first round (17th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Enters 2023 having appeared in 85 games with 85 starts, accounting for 329 tackles [195 solo] and 33.5 sacks... Started all 16 games in which he appeared in 2022...Decorated Alabama product who was the second Chuck Bednarik Award winner and third Bronko Nagurski Award winner -- each awarded by various organizations to the nation's best defensive player -- drafted by Washington all-time.
Jonathan Allen
NIR (Rest) Not_Listed

-- Scott Turner said that Heinicke's decision making is getting "better and better." He is doing a better job of anticipating where his receivers will be. The third down play to Terry McLaurin is the ultimate example of that, but there were several times that Turner noticed Heinicke getting rid of the ball earlier because he knew where his receivers would be. That stems from a trust in his wideouts as well as his growing experience in the offensive scheme.

-- Turner thought the Commanders improved on third down after going 0-for-4 to start the game. That allowed the offense to run the ball with more efficiency. "That was the difference in the game," Turner said, and it showed on the box score. Washington outgained the Packers on the ground by 128 yards and was fueled by the duo of Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr.

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