K'Lavon

Chaisson

The Commanders will also have Daron Payne (knee) and K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) on the field for Sunday when they travel to Philly to take on the Eagles. Washington made several defensive additions this offseason in hopes of improving a unit that ranked among the league’s worst last season in its second year under Dan Quinn.

When asked for comment, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said, “anytime you’re seeing a specialist, of course, there is reason for concern.” Both starting edge rushers, OLB Odafe Oweh (calf) and OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), and backup LB Jordan Magee (shoulder) are also sidelined by recent injuries. The Commanders’ defensive front is tasked with corralling the Eagles’ rushing attack in three and a half weeks.

It is more than Mike Reiss predicted Chaisson would get in free agency, but he had to take a one-year deal to do it. Chaisson should be a starter on the edge for the Commanders, on the other side of the ball as Odafe Oweh. The defensive line has received a major makeover this tampering period in Washington.

It all finally clicked for Chaisson with the Patriots, where he posted a career high 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits last year. It sounds like at that price range, other teams around the league view Chaisson as a starter at this point. Entering his age-27 season, it’s likely a team will get prime years from Chaisson in free agency.

The Patriots will also have OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee) on the field this weekend. Williams was active last week, but Chaisson was sidelined by the knee issue. Williams (16) and Chaisson (13) rank third and fourth on the team, respectively, in quarterback pressures and the two players tie for the second-most sacks (three).

Vrabel declined to comment on the health of his lineman and what led to his injury, but Williams was limited on Wednesday before being a DNP on Thursday, so it’s safe to assume he is legitimately questionable heading into the AFC East showdown against the Bills. Williams has totaled nine tackles and two sacks this season to go with five TFLs. In addition to Williams, Vrabel also said LB K’Lavon Chaisson (knee), CB Carlson Davis (illness), and LB Jahlani Tavai (calf) would all be questionable for Week 5.

Chaisson turned his career around in his one-off season with the Raiders last year, tying his career-high in quarterback pressures (29) and setting a career-high in sacks with six. Chaisson should continue to play well under Mike Vrabel’s tutelage in New England.

Chaisson is a former first-round pick of the Jaguars, totaling five sacks in four seasons. The Jags did not pick up his fifth-year option, sending him into free agency this offseason where he signed with the Panthers. He was let go by Carolina prior to the season’s start, and now the Raiders will try to get something out of him from the practice squad.

Less than a day removed from signing pass rusher D.J. Wonnum, the Panthers are once again adding to their revamped core of pass rushers with the signing of Chaisson. Chaisson was allowed to test free agency after the Jaguars opted to not exercise his fifth-year extension last offseason. The former first-round pick is somewhat a reclamation project, as he’s struggled to live up to his draft capital through four seasons. Injuries cut his 2022 season short, but in 57 career games, Chaisson has managed just 73 tackles and five sacks. His role will likely depend on how he performs in OTAs and training camp, as this looks like more of a one-year prove-it deal.

This decision doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Chaisson has just three sacks in 40 career games with the Jaguars and saw his 2022 season cut short by a meniscus injury suffered in Week 5. He made it back in time to play in the Jags’ final five games of the regular season, totaling 10 tackles and one sack over the stretch. The Jaguars made Chaisson the 20th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, and have received little for their investment. He’ll officially enter 2023 on a contract year.