Commanders Will Have Johnny Newton Get Foot Surgery
After a first-team All-American season, Johnny Newton was able to miss the first round due to foot surgery. The development of the defensive tackle selected in the second round by his NFL team will be delayed by the need for another similar treatment.
The Commanders defensive tackle will require another foot treatment in January to treat a problem with his left foot, after a procedure to correct an injury to his right foot. Dan Quinn stated that the No. 36 overall pick will be out for the foreseeable future, as reported by John Keim of ESPN.com. This is anticipated to be the week of the most recent Newton foot surgery.
Newton’s pre-draft preparation was put on hold for several weeks following the January procedure due to a partial foot fracture that he suffered. Despite missing out on the Combine workouts, he recovered in time for a postponed pro day in the middle of April. Though the nature of Newton’s other foot ailment is unknown, that schedule gives the Commanders hope that by Week 1, they will have the first of their three second-round draft picks accessible.
Newton, the third defensive tackle selected in this draft, did not take part in the rookie minicamp held in Washington. It’s interesting that the high-level prospect skipped the Commanders’ weekend exercises because he claimed to be totally healed upon being drafted. The new problem was discovered during a recent examination, and it will require additional rehab work. While Newton managed to play with the partial fracture in the second half of his senior season at Illinois, the Commanders plan to have him fully healed by the time he makes his professional debut.
Despite having Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and 2022 second-round D-tackle Phidarian Mathis on their roster, Washington selected Newton with its second round pick this year. As the first Illinois player to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 29 years, he recorded a career-high 7.5 sacks last season and was named to the first team of the All-American team. Although Newton’s odds of making an NFL debut on schedule are improved by having surgery now, it is concerning that a rookie may need surgery on both feet just months before making his debut.