A foot surgery caused Johnny Newton to slide out of the first round following a first-team All-American season. Another such procedure will be necessary, stalling the second-round defensive tackle’s development with his NFL team.
After undergoing a procedure to repair an injury to his right foot in January, the Commanders defensive tackle will need another foot procedure done — this time to address an issue with his left foot. Dan Quinn confirmed, via ESPN.com’s John Keim, the No. 36 overall pick will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Newton sustained a partial foot fracture that led to the January procedure. That operation caused a delay in Newton’s predraft preparation. He did not participate in combine workouts but did recover in time to hold a belated pro day in April. That timeline provides a positive sign the Commanders will have the first of their three second-round draftees available by Week 1, though it is not certain exactly what injury Newton sustained to his other foot.
This draft’s third defensive tackle chosen, Newton did not participate in Washington’s rookie minicamp. The high-level prospect said upon being drafted he was fully healed, making his absence from the Commanders’ weekend workouts interesting. A recent checkup revealed the new issue, and it will produce another run of rehab work. Newton played through the partial fracture during the second half of his final Illinois season, but the Commanders will attempt to have him at 100% by the time be debuts as a pro.
Despite rostering Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne — along with 2022 second-round D-tackle Phidarian Mathis — Washington chose Newton with its second draft choice this year. He produced a career-high 7.5 sacks last season, collecting Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year acclaim — the first Illinois player to do so in 29 years — and first-team All-American honors. While Newton undergoing surgery now will help his chances of debuting on time for the Commanders, a rookie undergoing procedures on both feet in the months before his NFL debut is a bit of a concern.
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