ASHBURN, Va. — The Commanders announced Monday that defensive tackle Jonathan Allen would miss the remainder of the season after tearing a pec muscle in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Ravens.
Allen, in his eighth year, was a first-round draft pick by Washington in 2017. Besides punter Tress Way, Allen is the longest-tenured member of the Commanders.
On Wednesday, Head coach Dan Quinn said rookie Johnny Newton will be asked to play a bigger role moving forward.
“Right when it happened, I told Jon I got his back and I’m not going to let him down," second-round draft pick Newton said. "Originally this was his role. I see him as a big brother, honestly, so I just really don’t want to let him down and I’m not going to let him down."
After Allen learned he would be sidelined the rest of the season, Quinn said he offered Newton some words of encouragement.
"Don’t feel sorry for me, here’s a good chance for you to get more chances, more opportunities and that’s what a leader does," Quinn said of Allen's advice to the rookie. "Knowing that there’s other guys in the room that will step up, specifically Johnny and knowing that they’re ready to take that challenge on."
Newton said the advice upped his confidence in his own abilities.
"Basically, just letting me know that it’s my time, that I could do it," said Newton. "I know DQ trusts me. That’s why they brought me here, honestly. He just sent me some encouraging texts and with that, I just know that he trusts me. It gave me more confidence, relaxed me more. It’s a new role for me coming in as a rookie, but with DQ behind my back, I feel great, and I know that I can go do it."
The team also promoted veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Day from the practice squad. Quinn says he’ll be in the rotation Sunday as well.
"[Jonathan Allen] is a big, big piece of this defense," Day said. "Just trying to live up to what he was doing, really looking forward to the opportunity. We’ve got to do it for JA. He poured his heart and soul every single down he was out there. You could see his enthusiasm for the game, especially for the Commanders. He wore that on the back of his shirt every day.”
The Commanders placed defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Quinn said he’s hoping it’s a short-term issue, but said Wednesday, it was too early to tell.
This week, Washington announced the signing of veteran defensive end, Jalyn Holmes, who was released by the Jets two days ago.
Holmes, the Norfolk native, says he has lots of family and friends that are Commanders fans. As a player, he's excited to be here.
"When I was with the Jets, we scrimmaged and played the Commanders in the preseason, and they were very talented," said Holmes. "Probably the best team we played in the preseason. Great O-line and the energy they had in (New) Jersey, I mean it was a no-brainer when they called my phone."