Washington Commanders Reveal Devastating Injury News For Rookie All-American Phenom
On Saturday, the Washington Commanders revealed a disappointing update for one of their rookies. The Commanders held their rookie minicamp this weekend. One rookie is out indefinitely after learning they must undergo another surgery.
Per CBS Sports, Commanders second-round pick Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton suffered a partial Jones fracture in his foot last season. Ben Standig with The Athletic reported Newton has attended the Commanders’ offseason workouts wearing a walking boot:
Newton underwent surgery in January to repair a partial Jones fracture in his foot. This may have been the primary reason he fell down the draft board to the end of Round 2, as he was originally expected to go much earlier.
Newton’s injury from college was known to the Commanders when they selected him in April. However, it’s unclear if they knew about the new injury they reported to the press on Saturday.
The Washington Commanders rookie needs another surgery
Per JP Finlay with NBC Sports, Newton suffered a partial Jones fracture on his other foot. He will have another surgery to fix the foot. The Commanders are still determining when Newton will return to play for the Commanders.
Newton was an impressive defensive tackle prospect coming out of college. He recorded 18 sacks in his college career, 7.5 of which came for the 2023 season. For the 2023 season, he won the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year and was named a Consensus All-American.
NFL fans’ initial reaction to the news
Earlier this year, Commanders rookie defensive tackle Jer’zhan “Johnny” Newton had surgery to repair a partial Jones fracture in his foot. He now needs surgery on the other foot.
Via JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington, Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that Newton needs surgery to repair the same injury, different foot.
The procedure is scheduled for next week, and Quinn declined to provide any timelines for Newton’s return.
Newton was the 36th pick in the 2024 draft. He was an All-American in 2023 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He played six games with the other injury last year.
It’s unclear whether the Commanders knew that Newton needed surgery before he was drafted.
Newton suffered a partial Jones fracture of his right foot sometime during the past season at Illinois and underwent surgery in January. During a recent checkup on the repaired foot — it’s uncertain when that occurred — Commanders coach Dan Quinn said doctors determined he had a similar issue with his left foot.
Newton did not participate in Washington’s rookie minicamp practices this weekend, standing off to the side and wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
Newton was projected as a possible first-round pick; Washington selected him with the 36th pick.
Quinn said he’s glad that Newton will have the procedure now rather than “the end of August or in September where it sets you back.” Quinn did not want to provide a timetable for when Newton might be ready to return. After having the surgery in January, Newton did not participate in drills at the scouting combine in late February but did take part in his personal pro day on April 16.
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