The Commanders’ defensive front just took another hit, and it puts Johnny Newton right back in the spotlight.
With Daron Payne already out for the season because of a fractured foot, Washington now has to absorb the loss of Javon Kinlaw as well. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that Kinlaw has had season-ending surgery on an MCL injury, a blow that leaves coordinator Daronte Jones without his starting 3-4 defensive ends.
That’s a rough turn for a team that had started to build some momentum. It also makes Newton’s return from a torn pectoral a lot more important than it was even a week ago.
Newton’s 21-day return window opened last week. He was initially listed as questionable for Washington’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, but after more conditioning tests, he was downgraded to out. Now, after another week of practice, he has a better shot at getting back on the field this weekend against the Los Angeles Rams at Northwest Stadium.
And the Commanders need him.
Payne and Kinlaw were both key pieces of the defensive plan. Payne was still performing at a high level, while Kinlaw had started to show real promise after a disappointing first season in Washington. Now both are done for 2026, and depending on what Adam Peters does this offseason, this could be the last time either one suits up in a Washington uniform.
That leaves Newton with a clear opening, but also a real test.
The Commanders believed they were getting a steal when they took him No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Injuries kept him from making an immediate impact, but he did flash as a pass rusher in Year 2, including three sacks against the Dallas Cowboys. The issue has been his consistency against the run, and that remains the hurdle if he’s going to be more than a rotational piece.
That would have been manageable with Payne and Kinlaw healthy. It’s a different story now.
Washington drafted Newton to become more than depth. The hope was that he’d grow into a true three-down player, a cornerstone on the defensive line, and a player who could quiet the doubts that pushed him out of the first round. He hasn’t reached that level yet, but the opportunity is there now in a way it hasn’t been before.
With Payne and Kinlaw both sidelined for the rest of the year, Newton has a chance to show exactly what he can be when the Commanders need it most.
In Other News...
Daron Payne Just Became A Much Bigger Commanders Dilemma
Daron Paynes season is over after a fractured foot required surgery, a blow that strips the Commanders of one of their most important interior defenders and immediately changes the conversation around his place on the roster. Washington has not moved on from him yet, but the injury adds another layer to a situation that was already complicated behind the scenes.
Paynes future in Washington had already been murky before the setback, with general manager Adam Peters weighing options involving the veteran tackle. Now the Commanders are left to sort through a tougher question: whether Payne still fits into their long-term plans once he gets healthy, or whether this injury only accelerates a decision that was already looming. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A Tough Call On KLavon Chaisson
The Commanders recent win pushed them to 2-4-1 and added to the sense that this season is starting to stabilize under the new coordinators. One of the quieter reasons for that progress has been KLavon Chaisson, who has fit in well at outside linebacker and given Washington useful production on the edge while playing on a one-year contract.
That combination always creates a little urgency, especially when a player is performing well enough to draw outside attention. NFL insider Albert Breer floated the Patriots as a possible team to watch, which is enough to make the situation worth monitoring even if nothing concrete has surfaced yet, and it leaves Washington with a familiar midseason question about whether to keep pushing for a short-term boost or think ahead to what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A Run Defense Problem At The Worst Time
The Commanders run defense is suddenly under a brighter spotlight with the Los Angeles Rams coming up, and the timing could hardly be worse. Washington has already been dealing with a physical challenge in the middle of its defense, and the loss of Javon Kinlaw only adds to the concern against a Rams rushing attack that can make life difficult if the front seven is even a step off.
With Kinlaw unavailable, Washington may need to reshuffle its defensive line and lean on depth to keep the interior from getting pushed around. Byron Cowart and Ricky Barber are among the options the team could turn to from the practice squad, a reminder that the Commanders may have to patch together answers quickly if they want to hold up in the trenches. [Read more 🡒]