Tag: Chase Young close to returning

Ron Rivera feeling good about his Commanders defense

Ron Rivera loves what he sees from his defense.

Ron Rivera likes what he sees in his defense.

“I think what’s been interesting is really not just what Jack [Del Rio] and the defensive staff have come up, but the way they’ve been using the different personnel groupings. And then with the injury to Cole [Holcomb]. Some of the creative ideas they’ve come up with and how they’ve used the different players. I mean, one of the things that we’ve talked about a lot has been positional flex. And when you have guys that can play, whether it’s safety and then come down the box and play the buffalo or a corner that come and play the nickel, a defensive end that can play like a standup Will linebacker and a three four. They’ve gotten creative with their guys and that’s been very impressive.”

“The play on the goal line against Indianapolis. He [Del Rio] called a specific call for Jamin [Davis] when he went downhill, went through the crease, and made the play. I mean that was a confidence play.”

Rivera coached with Texans head coach Lovie Smith as a Bears assistant and is familiar with what he sees watching Texans game footage.

“They want to be a physical running team, live off the play action and play stout defense. I know it’s very simplified, but you know, having been around coach, that’s kind of what we did in Chicago back in 2004-2006.”

Rivera is encouraged by the progress of second-year safety Darrick Forrest.

“You’ve seen him take that step forward on the mental aspect of the game, he’s a very bright young man. He’s very eager, he practices the right way. He wants to see it and walk through it. If he’s wrong, he wants to see it again. He asks a lot of good questions. ”

Rivera said when Chase Young returns they are going to be very structured and safe in how many game snaps he receives.

“It’ll be a pitch count and something we’ll have to monitor closely. Again, because the big part of it is, especially right now is you want to get as close as you can to live action and you really can’t. So we have to try and figure out how he can get as many good reps in these next couple of days to get a good gauge as to where he is.”

Also, Cole Holcomb is trying to get back into action as soon as possible.

“They had him outside running on the grass today. We’ll see how he responds. Because of the short turnaround, today was a walk-through practice for the most part to try and give our guys a little extra time. It was an opportunity for the coaches to, to dive into the first and second down practice day typically, which is what our Wednesday is.”

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Rivera: Chase Young looking good in practice

Rivera gave updates on Chase Young, Carson Wentz and others.

When Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the press Thursday, he was more interested in talking about his team and the upcoming game against the NFL’s lone undefeated team the Eagles, on Monday night.

Chase Young is nearing returning to game action. “He looked good. We put him in pass rush situations to watch him and get a chance to watch him on tape a little bit more. He looked good. It’s good to see him moving around, moving as quick as he is. We’ll see how he is tomorrow morning. It will always be about the next day, how much they work them, the next morning if he is sore or not, will help dictate whether or not we will activate him or not.”

Asked if Carson Wentz would return next week from injured reserve, “We’ll see, he’s looking good. He’s going through his rehab, doing the things he is supposed to do.”

When asked if Wentz would return to the lineup upon his return, Rivera acutely replied, “You are most certainly ahead of yourself. I told you guys, we’ll play the game, and then I’ll decide when it’s time to.”

The Philly crowd will be extremely loud. “I told our younger guys, “Just take your rivalry game and ramp that up an octave or two. That is pretty much what you are going to get in Philadelphia.”

Rivera respects Eagles QB Jalen Hurts. “The young man is a heck of a football player, and he does really truly remind me of the way Cam (Newton) plays with a lot of passion.”

Regarding Terry McLaurin, Rivera likes how “he tries to understand the leverage of the routes he is running, trying to get his release in the appropriate position that gives him an opportunity to win. Also (how he) finds the hole or seam in the zone and sits down in it.”

“Terry has a tremendous catch radius, and because of that understanding positioning and how to put himself in leverage spots, he makes himself a big target.”

Jahan Doctson returned to practice Thursday. Cole Holcomb has been doing his rehab including work in the pool. Rivera said they would see how he is feeling Friday and proceed accordingly.

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