Redskins defensive lineman Jonathan Allen confident he’ll play in Week 3

The Redskins need to be at full strength on defense to take advantage of a favorable offensive matchup in the Chicago Bears. Luckily, one key member of the front seven plans on playing.

The Washington Redskins have fielded one of the NFL’s worst statistical defensive units through two weeks of the 2019 regular season. Measuring in at the bottom of the pack in both points allowed per game and yards allowed per game, the Redskins defense needs a pick-me-up game, and against a stalling Bears offensive unit, they’ll have their chance in Week 3.

That said, such an opportunity does them little good if they’re shorthanded. In Week 2, the Redskins were missing defensive standouts such as Quinton Dunbar, Fabian Moreau, and most notably Jonathan Allen. Their lack of depth showed on all three levels, as the Redskins were easily handled by the Dallas Cowboys in a 21-31 loss.

Now off to an 0-2 start, the Redskins need to rebound, and they’ll get a timely return from one of their key defensive players in their bid to bounce back against the Chicago Bears. According to ESPN beat reporter John Keim, Redskins defensive lineman Jonathan Allen is confident he’ll play. In Allen’s words, he’s “100 percent playing this week”.

Allen went down in Week1 against the Philadelphia Eagles with an MCL sprain. There was a chance he’d be able to suit up against the Dallas Cowboys, as he was originally deemed week-to-week. But he ultimately wasn’t ready to play in Week 2, and so he sat out, as one of the team’s inactives.

With Allen out, Washington’s defensive line was observably less disruptive as a unit, and depth players in the place of Allen did not provide the same impact he’s known for. It’s both a testament to Allen’s individual prowess, as well as the precariousness of Washington’s situation. All it takes is one injury, and they no longer have the talent to offset coaching deficiencies.

That said, they should have enough talent on Monday night to at least put up a fight against Chicago. Against a stout Bears interior offensive line, getting Allen back is big, and it could facilitate a trickle-down effect to the rest of the defense.