Football is almost back for both college and the NFL, which means fall camp and training camp are winding down and rosters are about to be set. NFL teams will have to cut down their rosters from about 90 players to 53, but unfortunately, injuries are playing a big part, especially for the Washington Commanders .
It seems like every day there is a new report of an NFL player out for an extended period of time, or even for the season. One of the latest reports to come out for the Commanders is that defensive tackle Jer'zhan "Johnny" Newton, a former Illinois star , will miss significant time this season after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
After being selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Illinois standout performed well in two seasons with the Commanders, recording 82 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 11.5 tackles for a loss. Newton really stood out in 2025 with five sacks, solidifying his position on the defensive line.
After a stellar Illinois career, in which Newton was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year after the 2023 season and was also a consensus All-American. Newton was able to make the transition from college to the NFL well, as shown in his stats over the last two seasons.
Now, the Commanders will have to swiftly find a replacement for Newton, as his timetable for return is unknown at this time. When it comes to a torn pectoral, there are different levels of recovery based on the type of tear and surgery.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt suffered a torn pec in Week 1 of the 2022 season and chose rehab without major surgery, allowing him to return to the field in about six weeks. There is also a partial tear that can take about 4-6 weeks to recover from with rest and therapy. However, Newton didn't take either of those routes, as he opted for surgery, which can typically require about 3-4 months of recovery.
It may take even longer than 3-4 months, as the recovery time can take up to six months to get back to full strength. So, while Newton will probably be eager to get back on the field, it will all depend on how well his recovery goes.
Not only will it depend on his recovery, but if the Commanders are far out of playoff contention, it might be more worthwhile for Washington to simply shut Newton down for the season. No reason to rush back and risk further injury if the team isn't playing meaningful football late in the season.
It is hard to see a season potentially end before it even starts, especially with the talent that Newton has and being a former Illinois star. Hopefully, Newton's recovery is quick, and he can be back on the field sooner than expected and play meaningful football for the Commanders.
This article was originally published on www.writingillini.com as Former Illinois wrecking ball Jer'zhan Newton hit with major injury in 2026 NFL season .
