It seems like the injury bug has hit the Washington Commanders again, this time with rookie Johnny Newton, who had post-season surgery on his right foot. Now two weeks post-draft with the start of rookie camps, it was announced that he will need the same surgery done to his left foot four months later.
Newton went from being a potential first-round pick to falling to the second round and is now dealing with this setback. Newton will have to be patient with the Commanders. The Washington defensive tackle can afford patience, however, due to their depth on the interior defensive line.
Newton was seen at the rookie minicamp for the Commanders not participating with a boot on, as it has not been stated when this new injury occurred after it was found during a recent checkup.
Although it is an unfortunate setback, Newton should be able to go for the start of 2024 for Washington as long as there are no further complications in the next three to four months.
How will he fare in his rookie season?
Washington Commanders: Johnny Newton Needs Surgery
Dan Quinn says Johnny Newton had a procedure on his left foot to repair the same injury he had previously on the right foot. Also: the T-shirt. pic.twitter.com/Xw7XzanVRw
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2024
According to John Keim of ESPN, Commanders’ Johnny Newton will have surgery for another partial Jones fracture, this time on his other foot. He had surgery on his right foot in January but will undergo one on his left next week.
New Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn for Washington declined to put a timeline on Newton’s recovery, as the 36th overall pick will have to wait a while before getting close to the practice field.
The 21-year-old defensive tackle played six games last year for Illinois. Despite the injury, Newton won the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year awards in 2023.
The consensus All-American last season also was first-team All-Big-Ten back-to-back years for Illinois, playing four seasons for Illinois. For the Fighting Illini, he had 18 career sacks, tying for the most in his school’s history with Moe Gardner.
Washington Commanders: Rookie Flagged at Combine
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It is not clear whether or not the Commanders were aware of this new foot injury before the 2024 NFL Draft for Newton. His first Jones fracture injury was flagged at the NFL Scouting Combine, as there were rumors that his medicals were red flags for teams.
Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager did not include the likes of Newton in his “surefire” first-round defensive player picks in late April before the draft, hearing it was possible that a player of his caliber slip a few rounds in the NFL Draft.
That did take place, as he fell only to the top of day two, as the 4th pick in the second round. It was surprising to see the Atlanta Falcons trade up to take another defensive tackle, Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro over Newton but injuries may have been one of the contributing factors.
Compared to the other defensive tackles, the only one that was penciled in as a first-round lock was the 16th overall pick, Texas’ Byron Murphy. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks as the second defensive player taken.
Washington Commanders: Fell to Second Round of NFL Draft
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Due to the first Jones fracture, he was recovering from last season, Commanders rookie Newton opted out of the drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. For the Illinois’ Pro Day, the talented defensive tackle did not do any testing but did the defensive line drills, stating he was fully healed from that injury.
Other than the medical concern, the only other issue as a draft selection was with his smaller frame, but his power and explosiveness were a consistent part of his tape. It was something that made scouts unsure if that could be translated in the pros, dominating college athletes vs. NFL-caliber guards and centers.
Either way, Newton was a force of nature across the defensive line for Illinois, at 6’2″ and 295 pounds. He finished last year with 7.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The good thing for Washington is that the rookie early on will be a rotational player, with veterans like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in front of him on that defensive line.
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