ASHBURN, Va. — Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen of the Washington Commanders returned to practice on Wednesday, a promising sign that he may be able to play again this season. This development comes just two months after he underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.
The Commanders have opened a 21-day practice window for Allen, which allows him to potentially return to the field after initial expectations suggested he would miss the remainder of the season. He sustained the injury during a game against Baltimore on October 13 and subsequently had surgery later that same month.
“Losing the chance to play is always a humbling experience,” Allen remarked after the practice session. “I’m really excited to be back with the team, and it just feels great to be out here again.”
As he prepares for a return, Allen, who is approaching his 30th birthday in January, participated in individual drills during the media-accessible portion of practice. Dressed in a black non-contact jersey, he was designated as a limited participant on the injury report and described his first day back as productive.
Coach Dan Quinn shared that the severity of Allen’s injury turned out to be less than initially anticipated, and it quickly became clear that a return to play was within the realm of possibility. “We had some indications early on, but you can never predict with certainty,” Allen stated. “I wanted to keep working quietly and wait for the right opportunity to emerge.”
After visiting a specialist in New York for a follow-up examination, Allen met all the benchmarks necessary to return to practice. Team officials communicated with the surgeon, who gave the green light for Allen’s comeback efforts.
“He’s uniquely resilient,” Quinn stated. “The process of his rehabilitation has been impressive. We have to follow a strict protocol to ensure we take every precaution.”
The Commanders have three weeks to either activate Allen or place him back on injured reserve. Although it seems unlikely he will play this Sunday against the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, he could potentially return for one of the final two games of the season: December 29 against Atlanta, or January 4 or 5 at Dallas.
“It’s all about getting out there and feeling at ease,” Allen commented. “I’m committed to putting in the work every day to be as helpful to this team as I can.”
Before his injury, Allen recorded 15 tackles and two sacks over five and a half games. A first-round draft pick in 2017 from Alabama, he made the Pro Bowl in both 2021 and 2022, establishing himself as Washington’s second-longest-tenured player, following punter Tress Way.
“Having him back is incredibly uplifting for the defensive line,” said rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton. “He’s a leader for us alongside Daron Payne, so his presence brings a new level of energy and joy to the entire team.”