Rookie Jonathan Allen accomplished something simple Monday for the first time since undergoing foot surgery on Oct. 19. He ran.
The defensive end worked off to the side during the Redskins’ practice with trainers, rehabbing with left tackle Trent Williams and center Chase Roullier.
Coach Jay Gruden said Allen, originally thought to be lost for the season, is on track to return Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals.
“He’s coming along good,” Gruden said. “He’s right on schedule to return when he’s allowed to return. Hopefully he can start practice when we get back (from Dallas). That’ll be six weeks, I believe, (and he can practice) for two weeks and then hopefully he’ll be ready to go.”
Last spring’s No. 1 Redskins draft pick suffered a Lisfranc injury Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. The fracture turned out to be a clean break, which reduced the recovery timetable.
Allen was placed on injured reserve, but league rules allow teams to bring back two players as long as they each miss at least eight weeks. Washington intends to use one of those exceptions for Allen.
“I’m very optimistic, but then again, you never count your chickens before they hatch,” Allen said. “I know it’s repetitive, but I’m just taking it slow, taking it day-by-day and going from there.”
Allen said he’s pain free and has been focused on his rehab, which involved trying to get the scar tissue to break down. Until now, Allen said most of his work involved one-legged squats to avoid putting weight on his injured foot.
Drafted out of Alabama 17th overall, Allen fell to the Redskins because of injury concerns with his shoulders. At Alabama, Allen had surgery for labral tears in both shoulders.
Allen, though, said he’s never dealt with a foot injury.
In the first six games of the season, the rookie provided a boost to the Redskins’ defensive line, making his presence felt in both the pass rush and run defense.
“We have missed him, but guys have stepped up in his place,” Gruden said.
“Stacy McGee is starting to step up his game. Ziggy [Hood] has played more minutes and done a great job and [Anthony] Lanier’s stepped in and done a nice job.”
By Week 15, the Redskins could be out of the playoff race. If the season is out of reach, would Allen still return? Gruden said there would be no reservations about activating him as long as he’s “100 percent.”
“I mean, he’s too good of a player,” Gruden said.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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