49ers’ Young downplays significance of matchup vs. Commanders

SANTA CLARA — Chase Young returns to the area where he grew up, owns a home, six dogs and played his first 3.5 seasons of professional football. When he lines up at defensive end for the 49ers against his former team, it will be just another game, he insisted. But Nick Bosa, a close friend and former Ohio State teammate, offered a different perspective of Young's return to face the Washington Commanders. "This week is a huge one for him," Bosa said of Young. "He's already pretty hyped up about it and excited, so we're going to try to play our best game for him." Young came to the 49ers on Nov. 1 in a trade from the Commanders for a special-compensatory third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In seven games, Young has 2.5 sacks with his new team. Young also was responsible for a safety on Monday night. He was in pursuit of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was called for intentional grounding as he began to fall while trying to avoid an official in the end zone. "I think he's had a great impact," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I think he's played the run well. I think he's played the pass well. He's helped with the rotations, just keeping everyone out there...