The Washington Commanders felt the loss of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen before they even returned to the practice field Wednesday. Players and coaches said they already miss the two-time Pro Bowler’s leadership, on and off the field.
But Allen, sidelined the rest of the season with a torn muscle in his chest, left a parting message for his fellow linemen.
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” he told players, according to coach Dan Quinn. “It’s more opportunities for y’all.”
The Northern Virginia native underwent surgery on Tuesday. He called it a freak injury that’s part of football and said he’ll support his teammates from the sideline.
“That’s what a leader does, knowing that other guys will step up and knowing that they’re ready to take that challenge on,” Quinn said.
Allen was a wrecking ball in the interior of Washington’s defensive line. He had 15 tackles and two sacks this season before the injury during the Commanders’ 30-23 loss to Baltimore on Sunday.
There’s no easy way to replace a player like Allen, who has appeared on the NFL’s Top 100 list each of the past two years.
“Obviously, that’s a big loss for us. He does a lot for us, and we’re definitely going to miss him,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “We just got to communicate more.”
Allen’s impact extended beyond the front seven. Quinn regularly stresses the importance of pass rush and coverage for his defense, calling it a “marriage” that dictates success in the game.
Subtract one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL, and safety Jeremy Chinn feels the impact 20 yards downfield.
Yet “it gives other guys an opportunity to step up. We’re looking forward to having those guys step up, and we have full confidence that they will,” Chinn said Wednesday.
With their leader sidelined, it will take a village to replace Allen on the line. Second-round rookie Jer’Zhan Newton is projected to play a big role, though veterans Phidarian Mathis and Efe Obada will also see more playing time.
“It’ll change the rotation of people, for sure, with a heavier load for [Newton]. No doubt about that,” Quinn said, while also highlighting Obada’s versatility to play multiple positions on the line.
A foot injury kept Newton out most of the preseason, but he’s seen more playing time in each of the past five weeks.
“They keep telling me, ’No moment’s too big for me,’” the 22-year-old said. “They trust me; they’re confident in me. That’s why they put me in this role to replace Jon.”
Allen isn’t the only defensive lineman sidelined for the Commanders. Defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste, a rookie who performed well to start the season, was placed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury. Quinn said the rookie’s stint on IR should be “shorter than longer.”
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong missed the week’s first practice with a rib or oblique injury from Sunday.
General manager Adam Peters needed to make moves after a tough bite from the injury bug.
The team elevated journeyman defensive tackle Sheldon Day from the practice squad and signed free-agent defensive end Jalyn Holmes to the active roster. The 28-year-old Holmes has bounced around the league since leaving Ohio State in 2018, most recently spending time with the New York Jets before they released him Monday.
Quinn said he feels good about his defensive line rotation, with Holmes and Day cycling in with Mathis, Newton and Obada.
“Sheldon’s been with us for a while. He’s got a real quickness to get up the field,” Quinn said.
The 4-2 Commanders’ revamped defensive front will have a chance to prove itself against the 1-5 Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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