Chase Young is cleared to play, Austin Ekeler doubtful, CJ Stroud questionable

By | September 16, 2023

Scroll down for Friday injury updates from around the NFL.

After missing most of last season and Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, Chase Young is ready to return to the football field.

The Washington Commanders cleared Young on Friday to play in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. The fourth-year defensive end missed last week due to a stinger sustained in the preseason. He had limited training on Wednesday and participated fully in the sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Friday that Young “had a very good week” in practice and was ready against the Broncos, where he is expected to play with an immediate count.

“The young man is chomping at the bit,” Rivera said last week before Young was cut. “He did everything he could and is preparing to play.”

Chase Young is set to make his 2023 debut in a high-stakes season for the former No. 2 pick. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Chase Young is set to make his 2023 debut in a high-stakes season for the former No. 2 pick. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Young was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after Joe Burrow. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year after totaling 7.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 15 games.

Injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, limited Young to 12 games over the next two seasons. He returned from a torn ACL to play the final four games of the 2022 regular season. Due to injuries, the Commanders declined to pick up the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.

Young’s return is critical to the Commanders and his career as he plays the final year of his rookie contract. A strong season could force the Commanders to negotiate an extension to his rookie contract during or after the season or potentially impose the franchise tag on Young to maintain control of his services. He joins a strong defensive front in Washington along with defensive lineman Montez Sweat, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Week 2 Friday Injury Reports

Washington commanders

DE Chase Young (neck): Cleared to play

WR Curtis Samuel (hip): Cleared to play

DB Jartavius ​​Martin (concussion): Out

TE Travis Kelce (bone bruise): Questionable, expected to play according to coach Andy Reid

DE Chris Jones (returning from holdout): Expected to play

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness): Questionable

RB Austin Ekeler (ankle): Doubtful after missing practice

OLB Joey Bosa (hamstring): Questionable

QB CJ Stroud (shoulder): Questionable

OT Laremy Tunsil (knee): Questionable

LB Neville Hewitt (illness): Questionable

S Jalen Pitre (chest): Out

S Jimmie Ward (hip): Out

TE Mark Andrews (quad): Questionable

OT Ronnie Stanley (knee): Out

C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle): Out

CB Marlon Humphrey (knee): Out

S Marcus Williams (bib): Out

Denver Broncos:

TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring): Out

OLB Frank Clark (hip): Out

WR Jerry Jeudy (hamstring): No injury designation, expected to play

RB Aaron Jones (hamstring): Questionable

WR Christian Watson (hamstring): Questionable

LT David Bakhtiari (knee): Questionable

LB Quay Walker (concussion): Questionable

RB Raheem Mostert (knee): Expected to play

OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee): Questionable

WR Brandin Cooks (knee): Game-time decision, per Jerry Jones

OL Tyler Smith (hamstring): Probably won’t play, according to Jones

WR Puka Nacua (oblique): Questionable

Cornerback Samuel Womack (knee): Out

LB Markus Bailey (knee): Questionable

RB Chris Evans (hamstring): Questionable

DE Joseph Ossai (ankle): Questionable

WR Jakobi Meyers (concussion): Out

DE Chandler Jones (personal): Out

RB Zack Moss (forearm): Full practice participant, no game day designation

G Quenton Nelson (tip): Questionable

TE Drew Ogletree (concussion): Questionable

WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle): Questionable

TE Darren Waller (hamstring): No injury designation

OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring): Questionable

WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee): Doubtful

LB Azeez Ojulari (hamstring) is questionable

OT Taylor Moton (biceps): Limited to estimated workout (try Friday)

WR DJ Chark (hamstring): Limited

CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring): Out

OG Brandon Scherff (ankle): Expected to play

C Luke Fortner (ankle): Expected to play

OT Taylor Decker (ankle): Long shot to play, according to coach Dan Campbell

DE Josh Paschal (unspecified practice injury): Missed practice Friday

DB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring): Unlikely to play, per Campbell

RB Breece Hall: Will continue to count throws in return from ACL injury, per coach Robert Saleh

K Greg Zuerlein (groin): Questionable

CB Carlton Davis (tip): Out

DL Calijah Kancey (calf): Out

LB SirVocea Dennis (hamstring): Out

S Christian Izien (concussion): Questionable

LB Troy Andersen (concussion): Out

CB Jeff Okudah (foot): Out

Arizona Cardinals

S Budda Baker (hamstring): Questionable

OL Kelvin Beachum (hand): Questionable

DL Leki Fotu (shoulder): Questionable

LB Josh Woods (ankle): Out

DL LJ Collier (biceps): Out

S Jamal Adams (knee): Out

T Charles Cross (toe): Out

DE Mike Morris (shoulder): Out

LB Boye Mafe (knee): Questionable

LB Devin Bush (shoulder): Questionable

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