The Washington Commanders were dealt their first hammer blow on the injury front in Week 6. Stud defensive tackle Jonathan Allen went out against the Baltimore Ravens, which was later revealed to be a torn pectoral that will send him to season-ending injured reserve.
This will be sorely felt on the field and in Washington's locker room. Allen's powers might be waning, but his leadership and ability to inspire played a leading role in the Commanders' resurgence under new head coach Dan Quinn. Not having him to depend upon means others need to step up and make more of an impact.
One would expect second-round rookie Johnny Newton and third-year-pro Phidarian Mathis to fill the void. Efe Obada can play the three-technique from the interior in obvious pass-rushing situations. However, the Commanders need to examine alternative options for backup purposes if nothing else.
With this in mind, here are five defensive tackles the Commanders could sign after losing one of the team's most established figures for their remaining fixtures.
Defensive tackles the Commanders could sign after Jonathan Allen blow
Commanders could sign Evan Anderson
- San Francisco 49ers practice squad
Free agents of any use are a little thin on the ground at this stage of the campaign. The Washington Commanders don't need anybody to start right away - that's a task for Johnny Newton and Phidarian Mathis to share. What general manager Adam Peters needs is a solid contingency plan in the event this second-round duo cannot make the necessary impression next to Daron Payne.
The Commanders would be wise to scour practice squads around the league to find a backup with upside. Replacing Jonathan Allen is almost impossible according to head coach Dan Quinn. That doesn't change the fact Peters needs to in pursuit of keeping their impressive momentum going.
If the Commanders want to take a chance on athletic attributes, Evan Anderson is someone to consider. He's currently sitting on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad and is a strong presence to move off the block. The rookie also displayed some impressive explosiveness for a man his size in college at Florida Atlantic, which is something Quinn always looks for in his defensive linemen.
Commanders could sign Chris Wormley
- Baltimore Ravens practice squad
If the Washington Commanders examine candidates from outside the organization to fill the gaping void left by Jonathan Allen, general manager Adam Peters might look to a veteran presence with more experience. Someone who's been part of successful organizations previously and can make a smooth adjustment to different surroundings quickly.
Chris Wormley is an intriguing possibility. He's currently on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad and didn't play much football with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. However, he's got plenty of solid production to call upon, especially during his three-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This would be a solid stop-gap option. Wormley's got experience anywhere along the defensive front. He's a good run-stopper who can also generate pressure when required. If this is a route the Commanders choose to take, they could do far worse than look in is direction.
The Commanders might decide to keep things in-house for continuity purposes. If not, then someone like Wormley makes a ton of sense as a backup piece who can step in at a moment's notice when the situation dictates.
Commanders could sign Hassan Ridgeway
It might be worth putting in a call to Hassan Ridgeway if you're the Commanders franchise. He's the top remaining free agent on the market, but there is a mitigating circumstance attached. This centers on the formidable interior presence suffering a torn Achilles midway through the 2023 campaign.
These injuries take a long time to heal. This bears more significance for someone like Ridgeway, who plays a physical position and has a lot of weight for his lower legs to handle. There could also be conditioning issues considering how long he's been away from the gridiron.
If there were no health issues attached, this would be an easy decision. Ridgeway's proven his worth as a dependable veteran who can come up with big plays in key moments throughout his eight-year career. He gained the nickname The Green Mile for his aggressive nature and ability to finish off plays consistently. That's exactly what the Commanders need after losing Jonathan Allen.
Adam Peters must undergo strenuous medical assessments with the lineman before making this move. Unless they are 100 percent convinced everything is on the right track, he'll look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Commanders could sign Jonah Williams
- Minnesota Vikings practice squad
Having someone with versatility is something for the Washington Commanders to explore. They'll give Johnny Newton and Phidarian Mathis a legitimate chance to replicate Jonathan Allen's production. Efe Obada is a useful pass-rushing asset on the interior, but it's also worth remembering that edge rusher Dorance Armstrong Jr. could be on the shelf as he awaits further tests in the coming days.
Adding someone else to take Allen's roster spot wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Taking Jonah Williams off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad could be worth its weight in gold.
Williams has been active twice for the Vikings this season. He's got experience as a defensive end or tackle throughout his four-year career. The former undrafted free agent out of Weber State is also a hard worker and passionate figure, fitting into the culture Dan Quinn is trying to build in Washington.
Asking Williams to come in and provide an instant boost to the defensive front is unfair and unlikely. But he's got the physical gifts to be a situational presence who could come in if Newton, Mathis, or Obada fluff their lines.
Commanders could sign Al Woods
There aren't many more experienced options remaining on the market than Al Woods. The well-traveled interior force is 37 years old, so there's no telling what kind of shape he's in or whether he wants to continue playing after a long career. However, there's no harm in the Commanders putting in a call to find out one way or another.
Woods was an intimidating nose tackle in his prime. He's got experience as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 or even as a defensive end in a 3-4 front. This goes away somewhat from the youth movement in Washington, but they don't need anything more than a band-aid solution for half a season before attention turns to Adam Peters' recruitment plans in 2025.
Perhaps the NFL has moved on from Woods after he spent last season with the New York Jets. Perhaps he's moved on from the game without an offer that motivated him enough. There's no telling for sure, but the Commanders' newfound momentum might make him think twice if they make an offer.
Jonathan Allen's loss will be difficult to overcome. How much bearing it'll have on the team's rapidly growing expectations in 2024 is debatable, so it will be interesting to see how Peters and Quinn approach matters.