Newton (pectoral) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams.
The 24-year-old was reinstated from injured reserve Saturday but was still officially questionable to play Sunday versus Los Angeles. Newton is ready to make his season debut after recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in August.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Activated from IR
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The Commanders activated Newton (pectoral) from injured reserve Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Newton has been activated ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams. The defensive lineman remains questionable with a pectoral injury, but his activation from IR means he will likely suit up for Sunday's contest.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Questionable to return from IR
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Newton (pectoral) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Newton was a full participant in all three Week 9 practices. The defensive lineman has a solid chance to return to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's contest, but the Commanders would need to cut another player to make room for the 2024 second-rounder's return. If the team holds off on activating Newton, Charles Omenihu and Shy Tuttle will continue to see the majority of snaps at defensive end in Week 9.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Full practice Wednesday
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Newton (pectoral) practiced in full Wednesday, Ben Standig of The Team 980 Washington D.C. reports.
Newton remains on injured reserve after his 21-day practice window was opened last week. He's closing in on a return to the lineup and is needed even more now that Javon Kinlaw (knee) and Daron Payne (toe) are on injured reserve.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Staying on IR for Week 8
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Newton (pectoral) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Newton was a limited practice participant in all three Week 8 sessions, but he's not quite ready to be activated from injured reserve. He opened the regular season on the Commanders' IR after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in August, and his next chance to play is Week 9 against the Rams on Sunday, Nov. 8.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Could be activated off IR for Week 8
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Newton (pectoral) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Newton opened the regular season on injured reserve after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn pectoral muscle. He was cleared to return to practice Wednesday and was limited in all three Week 8 sessions. Newton would need to be activated from IR on Saturday in order to be available to make his 2026 regular-season debut Sunday.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Back at practice
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The Commanders designated Newton (pectoral) for return to practice from their injured reserve list Wednesday.
Newton underwent surgery for a torn pectoral back in August, but it now looks like he's close to being fully recovered. His activity at practice during the week will be worth keeping an eye on as Washington prepares for a Week 8 contest versus the Eagles.
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Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton: Moved to IR
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The Commanders placed Newton (pectoral) on injured reserve Monday.
Newton underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral on Aug. 20. The defensive tackle will be required to miss the first four games of the regular season at minimum before he is eligible for activation. Newton will likely take longer to return, but has a good chance of participating in the tail end of the regular season if his recovery stays on schedule.
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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, including 5.0 sacks, good for fourth place on the team.
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.
