Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Timeline uncertain after surgery
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Commanders head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Newton underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral Wednesday in New York, but a timeline for the defensive lineman's return to the field hasn't yet been established, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reports.
While Jhabvala notes that the timeline for this sort of procedure can vary depending on the extent of the tear and its location, a 3-to-4-month recovery is the typical range. Newton appears highly likely to open the season on injured reserve, and his absence for any length of time represents a major blow to the Commanders' pass rush. The 24-year-old played the full 17-game slate during his second NFL season in 2025, logging 38 tackles and 5.0 sacks, good for fourth place on the team.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Undergoes pectoral surgery
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Newton (pectoral) underwent surgery Wednesday and is expected to miss significant time, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Newton suffered the injury duringFriday's preseason opener against the Dolphins. The defensive tackle took a step forward with his performance in his second season in 2025, registering 38 tackles (21 solo), five sacks and one forced fumble over 17 games. Newton is without a clear timeline to return to the field, but his looming absence is a hit to Washington's defensive-line rotation.
Newton suffered a pectoral injury during last Friday's preseason opener against the Dolphins, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports.
Newton has now missed consecutive sessions due to the issue. The defensive tackle's return timeline remains unclear, but it is seeming like a long-term problem. If Newton cannot return to the field soon, Shy Tuttle and Ricky Barber will likely see a greater share of opportunities in Saturday's preseason contest against the Lions.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Steady production in Year 2
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Newton recorded 38 total tackles (21 solo), including 5.0 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed and a forced fumble over 17 contests during the 2025 regular season.
Newton was able to play in all 17 of the team's regular-season contests, securing at least 38 takedowns for the second straight year. The defensive lineman secured a new career-high 5.0 sacks, most of which came in Week 17 against the Cowboys, registering nine total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in the team's 30-23 loss to Dallas. Newton will likely enter the 2026 campaign as a top reserve option behind Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw at defensive tackle.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Ready to go for Week 17
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Newton (head) is not listed on the Commanders' injury report for Week 17.
Newton left Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles early due to a head injury, but his absence from the Week 17 injury report suggests he avoided a concussion. The 23-year-old should be all set to fully practice throughout Week 17 in anticipation of playing a rotational role along the defensive line Thursday against the Cowboys.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Possible concussion
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Newton (head) exited Saturday's game early and is being evaluated for a possible concussion, Tashan Reed of The Washington Post reports.
Newton exited with 1:03 remaining in the game, the last play before the Eagles knelt the clock out. The defensive tackle has potentially suffered a concussion, and if he enters the league's concussion protocol, he will need to clear all five steps to be available for the Commanders' Week 17 matchup with the Cowboys.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Active for SNF
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Newton (ankle) is active for Sunday Night Football against the Seahawks.
Newton is good to go after being limited at practice throughout the week with an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 8. The defensive lineman will operate as a top reserve option behind Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw versus Seattle.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Officially questionable for Week 9
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Newton (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Newton sustained an ankle injury during the Commanders' Week 8 loss to the Chiefs, though he was able to return to the contest to finish with four tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. He opened the week with back-to-back DNPs before logging a limited session Friday, which was enough for the Commanders to tag the second-year defensive lineman as questionable for Week 9. Newton's official status may not be known until the Commanders announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes prior to the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Back in action
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Newton (ankle) has returned to action in Monday night's contest against Kansas City, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Newton sustained an ankle injury in the first half, but he was ultimately able to return to action. The 23-year-old is back in his role as a top reserve option behind Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw on the defensive line.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Questionable to return
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Newton (ankle) is questionable to return to Monday night's game against the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Newton appeared to have suffered an ankle injury in the first half, placing some doubt on his ability to return to action during Monday Night Football. In his absence, Eddie Goldman and Sheldon Day are top candidates to handle larger workloads on the defensive line.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Has key role in rookie campaign
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Newton finished the 2024 regular season with 44 tackles (19 solo), including 2.0 sacks, along with a defensed pass, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble over 16 games.
After being taken in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Newton missed Washington's regular-season opener due to a foot injury. He was ready to play the following week, however, and gradually worked his way up to a significant role -- Newton started each of the Commanders' regular-season contests from Week 7 onward, though he came off the bench and logged lesser defensive snap counts during the playoffs. Newton appears to be a key part of the team's plans moving forward and will look to further develop in 2025 during his second NFL campaign.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Shows out in Week 16
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Newton recorded six total tackles (five solo), including 1.0 sacks and an additional two tackles for loss, in Sunday's 36-33 win over the Eagles.
Newton, a 2024 second-round pick from Illinois, appears to be finding his groove in the NFL, as he tallied career highs in total tackles (six) and tackles for loss (three) in Sunday's win. The rookie defensive lineman has been inconsistent throughout the year, recording 38 total tackles, including 2.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across 14 appearances. Newton appears to be improving as the season progresses, and his next opportunity to take the field will come in Week 17 when the Commanders face the Falcons.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Misses Wednesday's practice
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Newton (foot) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
The 2024 second-round pick was thought to possibly make his NFL debut Sunday after missing Washington's Week 1 loss due to a foot issue, but missing Wednesday's practice seems to be a step in the wrong direction. If Newton is unable to practice throughout the week, expect Phidarian Mathis to see more work as the Commanders' top rotational interior defensive lineman.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: In contention to make debut Week 2
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Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that the Commanders "may" have Newton (foot) available for Sunday's contest against the Giants, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Newton missed Week 1 due to a foot injury, but it sounds like the rookie second-round pick's regular-season debut could come during Sunday's divisional matchup. Quinn said Newton is "trending in the right way," and that Washington will have more information on his status Friday.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Out Sunday
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Newton (foot) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
The 2024 second-round pick was listed as doubtful Friday after missing practice Thursday. Newton fell in the draft due to injury concerns. Phidarian Mathis should replace him as the Commanders' top rotational defensive tackle.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Doesn't practice Thursday
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Newton (foot) was listed as a DNP for Thursday's practice session.
Newton opened the week with a limited tag Wednesday as he continues to recover from offseason surgery on his left foot. His inability to practice Thursday could just be precautionary, but it doesn't bode well for his chance at suiting up for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Buccaneers. Newton has one more opportunity Friday to practice in some capacity ahead of Week 1.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Status still up in the air
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Newton (foot) was a limited participant during practice Wednesday.
Newton's participation level was expected, with head coach Dan Quinn previously stating the team likely wouldn't know the Illinois product's Week 1 status until Friday. If he isn't able to play Sunday against Tampa Bay, the Commanders could lack depth in the middle of their defensive line, especially with Daron Payne also working his way through a back injury.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Being evaluated for Week 1
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Coach Dan Quinn said Newton (undisclosed) will participate in Wednesday's practice, have his reps capped Thursday and then practice again Friday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Quinn said the Commanders will have a better idea of Newton's status for Week 1 after Friday's practice. The rookie second-round pick spent most of training camp recovering from a foot injury, but he's recently been working his way back from a different, undisclosed issue. If he's able to play Sunday on the road at Tampa Bay, Newton is expected to begin as a backup to Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Set to increase activity
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Head coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Newton (undisclosed) will see more practice reps next week, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Newton had been working through a foot injury through most of training camp, but an unrelated, undisclosed injury has popped up. Quinn noted that next week will provide a better indication as to whether the rookie second-round pick will be able to suit up for Week 1 against Tampa Bay. Newton is expected to serve in a backup role at defensive tackle behind Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Still working through injury
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Newton is dealing with a soft-tissue injury this week, unrelated to his previous foot injury, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Newton underwent multiple foot surgeries earlier this year and started camp on the NFI list. However, it turns out the reason he's been sidelined lately is unrelated, and head coach Dan Quinn expects to ramp up the rookie's workload later in the week.
