A key piece of Washington's defense is done for the season.
Jonathan Allen is feared to have suffered a significant pectoral injury that will require season-ending surgery, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday, per sources. Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed later Monday that Allen suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign.
"It's a big blow for us," Quinn told reporters. "Jon Allen's obviously been a staple player here and the play style and the attitude... We're really bummed for him as the man and the ballplayer. We'll certainly miss him this season. He'll likely get surgery in the days ahead."
Allen suffered the injury late in the third quarter of the Commanders' Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and did not return. Rookie Jer'Zhan Newton -- a second-round pick out of Illinois in April's draft -- replaced the two-time Pro Bowler, finishing with three tackles and one quarterback pressure.
Despite showing signs of improvement in wins over Arizona and Cleveland, Washington's defense still ranks in the bottom third of the NFL in yards allowed per game (22nd) and rushing yards allowed per game (22nd), while performing slightly better against the pass (19th). Sunday certainly wasn't an encouraging example, as the Commanders surrendered 484 yards of total offense to the Ravens, including 176 on the ground thanks in part to Derrick Henry's 132 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
Allen has found the going tough in the last year or so, recording career-worst defensive grades in 2023 (59.7) and through six games in 2024 (53.5), per Pro Football Focus. Still, losing a first-round talent who carries the team's third-largest cap number ($21.6 million) is discouraging, especially for a Washington team that has postseason aspirations for the first time in years, with much of the credit due to rookie signal-calling sensation Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders will have to find a way to replace Allen, who forms one half of a valuable interior pairing with Daron Payne. They'll likely lean on the likes of Newton and Phidarian Mathis in the short term, and should be expected to make an addition along the interior if they're forced to place Allen on injured reserve.