The Washington Football Team jumped out to a quick double-digit lead over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, going on to enjoy a 29-19 win over the defending champs, but it’s a bitter-sweet victory. During the battle, they lost former first-round pick Chase Young, who was initially set to be carted off of the field before demanding to stand up — then helped by trainers to the sideline and locker room. It was initially feared the dynamic young pass rusher suffered a torn ACL, but more tests were needed on Monday before that could be confirmed or ruled out.
Unfortunately for Young and the club as a whole, the former occurred, with head coach Ron Rivera confirming Young did indeed tear his ACL. He will now be moved to season-ending injured reserve and, given the timing of the injury, there are question marks on if he’ll be ready in time for the start of the 2022 season.
Young, the reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, earned the honor in 2020 after leading all rookies in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (10), pressures (40) and tied for first in forced fumbles (4). Already set to be without Montez Sweat for several games due to injury, the loss of Young can’t be quantified. And as Washington tries to dig themselves out of a 3-6 start to the year, the task of doing so just became infinitely more challenging.
CBS Sports caught up with Young earlier this week to discuss the disappointing start to the season for Washington. When we asked what he has learned about himself in 2021, Young said he learned about his own resiliency.
“I think that I learned that I’m a pretty tough dude,” Young said simply.
Given the nature of this injury, that resiliency is about to be put to the biggest physical test he’s ever faced.
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