Commanders DT Johnny Newton suffers torn pectoral, out indefinitely
What began as a worrying pectoral injury for Washington defensive tackle Johnny Newton is now confirmed as a torn pectoral that will sideline him indefinitely, with ESPN reporting he has undergone surgery.
The Washington Commanders' defensive line has taken a significant hit. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton has suffered a torn pectoral and will be out indefinitely, according to MySportsUpdate, with ESPN reporting he has since undergone surgery to repair the injury.
MySportsUpdate (@MySportsUpdate): #Commanders DT Johnny Newton suffered a torn pectoral and will be out indefinitely, per @Schultz_Report. Newton, the former 2nd-round pick, had 5 sacks and 27 pressures last season. He becomes the latest major injury for Washington, which has also lost LT Laremy Tunsil.
The setback upgrades what was already a troubling situation. Newton originally hurt his chest in Washington's preseason game against Miami and was sent to New York to see a specialist amid concern it could be a long-term issue. The worst-case scenario has now been confirmed: a full tear requiring surgery, which removes one of the Commanders' young interior linemen for the foreseeable future.
Newton, a second-round pick in 2024, posted five sacks and 27 pressures as a sophomore and was expected to be a key part of Washington's front-seven rotation. His absence thins a defensive line the franchise has invested in heavily, and it stacks onto a rough summer of injuries in the nation's capital — the team has also lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil. With cutdowns and the opener approaching, the Commanders will have to lean deeper on the rest of their interior depth to weather Newton's indefinite absence.