The Washington Commanders’ feel-good story suffered a double blow as defensive tackle Jonathan Allen suffered a season-ending torn left pectoral injury in Sunday’s 30-23 loss at the Baltimore Ravens. Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed the injury during a Monday news conference.
Allen left the game in the third quarter with the injury appearing to occur on Derrick Henry’s second touchdown run. The two-time Pro Bowl selection grabbed at his left pectoral while on the ground. Allen was later ruled out in the fourth quarter.
“We’ll certainly miss (Allen) this season,” Quinn said Monday.
The 17th selection in the 2017 NFL Draft became an immediate mainstay for Washington and the first of four linemen picked in consecutive first rounds. He has two sacks and 15 tackles in 2024 and 41 sacks for his career. Allen’s four-year, $72 million contract extension runs through 2025.
The Commanders lead the NFC East with a 4-2 record thanks largely to an effective offense fueled by rookie quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels. The defense has largely not kept pace despite the presence of Allen and fellow first-round Alabama football alum Daron Payne.
Washington’s run defense has labored this season. Opponents have rushed for at least 100 yards in all six games. With Henry and Lamar Jackson, Baltimore hammered Washington for 176 yards.
Second-round defensive tackle Johnny Newton would replace Allen and possibly beyond this season. Allen’s 2025 contract carries a $23 million salary cap hit and does not include any guaranteed money, meaning he could be released with a $6 million dead cap charge if the two sides are unable to renegotiate his deal.
Washington’s banged-up defensive line
Injuries on the line extended beyond Allen. Starting defensive end Dorance Armstrong, ruled out in the first half with a rib/oblique injury, will undergo tests on Monday, Quinn said. Reserve rookie DE Javonte Jean-Baptiste limped into the locker room postgame with an apparent right ankle injury. Initial tests returned negative, but the seventh-round pick’s status for the Week 7 home game against Carolina is unclear.
Washington’s struggles on defense
The defense being an equal partner — and avoiding shootouts – is something that benefits Daniels’ development even though the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft has shined. That hasn’t largely occurred even with Allen available.
Entering “Monday Night Football,” the Commanders are tied for 28th in yards allowed per carry (5.0), 30th in opponents’ third-down conversion percentage (46.2) and red-zone efficiency (70.0), and 27th in net yards per pass attempt (7.5) while allowing 24.2 points per game.
Despite the run-stopping concerns, Washington’s pass coverage, particularly at cornerback, is the primary defensive liability. The Commanders’ defense allowed an average of 13.5 points and 111.5 passing yards with two touchdown passes in wins at Arizona and over Cleveland as the pass rush (11 sacks combined) helped the secondary.
In the other four games, Washington allowed an average of 268.8 passing yards with 10 touchdown passes and seven sacks. Baltimore generated 484 total yards in the win.
Who steps up in Allen’s place
Another recent second-round DT selection, 2022 pick Phidarian Mathis, will see a more prominent role with Allen out. Depending on Armstrong and Jean-Baptiste, the same could apply to veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler, who took over the team lead in sacks (3 1/2) with two against Baltimore.
Quinn and the team hold weekly tell-the-truth Monday sessions. The coach shared this truth with the team this week: “We’re not where we want to be yet. I was honestly proud as hell with the fight we showed in the game (Sunday), but I also think there’s definitely another gear and it’s a gear we need to get to.”
Quinn believes the next stage is reachable based on words he heard in the frustrated locker room: “We’re f’ing going to learn from this.”
Required reading
(Photo: Ric Tapia / Getty Images)
