Commanders Activate DT Johnny Newton From IR for Sunday vs. Rams
Newton practiced fully all week after a torn pectoral and returns to Washington's 53-man roster ahead of the Week 9 matchup
The Commanders are getting a young defensive tackle back for Sunday. Washington is activating Johnny Newton from injured reserve to the 53-man roster, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, after Newton practiced fully all week recovering from a torn pectoral.
The #Commanders are activating DL Johnny Newton, who practiced fully all week as he's recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, to the 53-man roster from IR. He was previously listed as questionable.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): The #Commanders are activating DL Johnny Newton, who practiced fully all week as he's recovering from a torn pectoral muscle, to the 53-man roster from IR. He was previously listed as questionable.
Newton had been listed as questionable. He tore the pectoral in August and needed surgery, an injury that wiped out the start of his third NFL season. Washington opened his practice window in late October when it also placed Terry McLaurin on IR, and the full week of practice cleared the path to activate him ahead of the Rams game.
The 2024 second-round pick gave Washington five sacks and 27 pressures as a sophomore and was supposed to be a building block inside. His return helps a defensive line that has been thinned by season-ending injuries, including Javon Kinlaw's MCL surgery, and gives Dan Quinn another interior body for the weekly rotation.
Washington (2-4-1) hosts the Rams (4-4) on Sunday. Newton goes from IR to the active roster in a tough matchup — Los Angeles is also activating Myles Garrett — but it is a needed lift for a Commanders front that has been short-handed for most of the fall.