The Washington Commanders will be getting some help on the defensive line soon with the return of 2024 second-round draft pick Johnny Newton, who has missed the season's first six contests with a torn pectoral muscle.
And they might be in desperate demand of his services.
Newton's 21-day practice window has opened much sooner than expected, as he was originally expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season. But the third-year pro is ahead of schedule, and he has everything to prove.
Commanders need Johnny Newton to step up as uncertainty surrounds Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw
And for the Commanders, his return is very much welcome.
Both of the Commanders' starting 3-4 defensive ends, Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne, have cloudy immediate futures. The former is dealing with a vague knee injury that might cost him some time. Meanwhile, the latter could potentially be traded before the 2026 deadline.
Washington doesn't have ideal depth up front on defense. Beyond Kinlaw, Payne, and Tim Settle Jr., the Commanders' backups are Shy Tuttle and Deatrich Wise Jr. Charles Omenihu is also set to return following his own injury-related absence.
Still, the Commanders can get more from Newton than from any of those players. Though his deficiencies against the run have drawn much scrutiny, he is a solid pass-rusher who can bring pressure and make impact plays.
And he'll need to do exactly that once he's back on the field.
Johnny Newton must hit the ground running to stabalize defensive line depth
Big things were expected from Newton when he was drafted at No. 36 overall out of Illinois. General manager Adam Peters considered him the best player available, and he started 11 games as a rookie, filling in for the injured Jonathan Allen.
But Newton's development seemed to stagnate in Year 2, as he went back to a rotational role after the Commanders signed Kinlaw. His flashes came in bursts, most notably a three-sack performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17, but he lacked the consistency to become a legitimate three-down force.
After his injury in training camp, some weren't sure Newton would ever have another chance to build on the upside he'd shown. But Washington is thin at his position, and his early return gives him plenty of time to re-acclimate himself to defensive coordinator Daronte Jones' system.
It might be now or never for Newton, and the Commanders need it to be now.
We'll see what he can do.
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