MAY 14: Shedding some light on Newton’s latest foot injury, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz confirms it is a Jones fracture. Newton underwent his second 2024 foot surgery Monday. Given the timetable associated with this injury, it will be months before the No. 36 overall pick is ready to suit up again for the Commanders. The team is, however, optimistic Newton will be ready for Week 1.
MAY 12: A foot surgery helped lead to Johnny Newton sliding out of the first round following a first-team All-American season. Another such procedure will be necessary, stalling the second-round defensive tackle’s development with his NFL team.
After undergoing a procedure to repair an injury to his right foot in January, the Commanders defensive tackle will need another foot procedure done — this time to address an issue with his left foot. Dan Quinn confirmed (via ESPN.com’s John Keim) the No. 36 overall pick will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. The latest Newton foot surgery is expected to occur this week.
Newton sustained a partial foot fracture that led to the January procedure; this operation caused a weekslong delay in Newton’s pre-draft preparation. He did not participate in Combine workouts but did recover in time to hold a belated pro day in mid-April. That timeline provides a positive sign the Commanders will have the first of their three second-round draftees available by Week 1, though it is not certain exactly what injury Newton sustained to his other foot.
This draft’s third defensive tackle chosen, Newton did not participate in Washington’s rookie minicamp. The high-level prospect said upon being drafted he was fully healed, making his absence from the Commanders’ weekend workouts interesting. A recent checkup revealed the new issue, and it will produce another run of rehab work. Newton played through the partial fracture during the second half of his final Illinois season, but the Commanders will attempt to have him at 100% by the time be debuts as a pro.
Despite rostering Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne — along with 2022 second-round D-tackle Phidarian Mathis — Washington chose Newton with its second draft choice this year. He produced a career-high 7.5 sacks last season, collecting Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year acclaim — the first Illinois player to do so in 29 years — and first-team All-American honors. While Newton undergoing surgery now will help his chances of debuting on time for the Commanders, a rookie undergoing procedures on both feet in the months before his NFL debut is a bit of a concern.
I still like the value in the second round—he’s a fantastic player in a role that’s now getting huge contracts—but I’m also still surprised Washington didn’t find a way to move up for one of the offensive tackle prospects.
It’s proven over time, take the best player, use free agency to fill needs, use the draft to build the best depth you can, think Washington made the smart pick, albiet foot injuries for 300 pounders are tough and this does kinda make his slide seem more sensible
I generally agree on all counts, but when you truly have no good answer at left tackle, the draft has a bunch of strong prospects, and you’ve got the draft ammo to go get one, it strikes me as odd not to, especially with a rookie QB. It’s better not to draft for need, but good healthy tackles don’t make it to free agency much.
I agree and was saying this on day 2. It’s hard to say draft best player and fill needs through free agency, when they had the most cap room and didn’t address OT in said free agency, fully knowing they were going to draft their franchise QB, and then didn’t draft a tackle to pair with him. I did read they tried to trade up to get the tackle GB ended up selecting but weren’t able to.