He has nine games left in the regular season with the 49ers, and he may have more in the playoffs.
The 49ers acquired the defensive end during the NFL trade deadline last week from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a special compensatory draft pick.
Although it doesn’t seem like he has a permanent home with the 49ers, everything will work itself out in March.
After participating in his first 49ers practice on Monday, Young remarked, “I’m not even worried about that right now.” “My only concerns are learning this playbook and trying to play as well as I can.”
Midway through the season, in November 2021, Young had a ruptured right ACL, which left his NFL career uncertain even after he was voted Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The surgical repair involved the difficult transfer of a portion of his left patellar tendon to his other knee. He missed more than a year of work due to his recuperation and physical rehabilitation.
Young would have remained under contract through the 2024 NFL season with a guaranteed salary of $17.5 million had the Commanders chosen to exercise his fifth-year option.
Now, though, with five sacks in seven games, Young seems to be returning to his pre-injury level.
This season, he recovered to the point where he could handle the Commanders’ entire workload.
Young played 58 snaps a game on average this season. In a 24-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on October 15, he participated in a career-high 75 plays from scrimmage.
Young remarked, “It was big for me,” on his comeback to becoming an all-around player. But I didn’t hoard it for myself. Every day, one by one. Taking things day by day was the only thing I could do while dealing with my injury.
And I’m going to do just that right now. There will be play. I’m simply trying to live each day as it comes.”
Young claimed that following his stint in Washington, he could sense a new culture upon joining the 49ers—a winning culture.
The 49ers(5-3) are favored to make the playoffs and are currently tied for first place in the NFC West going into their Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
It’s exciting, for sure, Young remarked. “It inspires me even more to put in my best effort and play every role as if it were my last.”
