Chase Young has logged a significant amount of playing time this season, averaging approximately 58 snaps per game. The newly acquired defensive end brings with him five sacks, a total surpassing that of any of his new San Francisco 49ers teammates. The expectation is that Young's presence will provide a much-needed boost to the struggling pass rush, with the benefits extending to other positions.
Young is slated to start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, with the 49ers hoping the former No. 2 overall pick will play a substantial role in their efforts to break a three-game losing streak.
"Hopefully, he'll pick up the stuff throughout the week and going to be out there a good bit on Sunday," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday.
When asked if this indicated a substantial role for Young against the Jaguars, the coach replied, "Yes, hope so."
Young reunites with his former Ohio State teammate, Nick Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The two will flank free agent acquisition Javon Hargrave and longtime Niner Arik Armstead.
"He's an impressive player, and he's been playing well here of late," noted general manager John Lynch in a recent interview with team reporter Lindsey Pallares. "He's been playing a lot here of late as well. We've always said that the D-line is really the engine that drives, not just this defense, but this team. And we like our D-line, but we love adding to it as well.
"We always want more from that unit, and I think it was somewhat of a no-brainer when Chase was there, available."
San Francisco traded a 2024 compensatory third-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders for Young, a small price to pay for a player with the potential to spark the defense, a unit that has looked less formidable in recent weeks compared to last year or even earlier this season.
Like Shanahan, Lynch foresees Young taking on a substantial workload on Sunday.
"Well, it's not as if he hasn't been playing football," Lynch pointed out. "He just hasn't been playing in our scheme. [Kris] Kocurek and [Darryl] Tapp, our coaches on the D-line, they do a tremendous job of getting guys up to speed. We saw it with [DE] Randy Gregory earlier this year when we traded for him, I think prior to Cleveland, and Randy that week played and contributed.
"So I think Chase, like I said, he not just been playing, he's been playing a high volume of snaps. So I think he ought to be raring and ready to go, and we're excited to get him out there."