Tag: DT Jonathan Allen

Questions increasing regarding Commanders defensive line

Injuries piling up along the defensive line.

Suddenly the strong is much weaker.

The strongest unit of the Washington Commanders team has no doubt been the defensive line. Media and fans wondered Tuesday why the front office determined to keep 11 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster.

There is now no question why. Thursday, the Commanders announced Efe Obada is joining Phidarian Mathis on the injured reserve List. This means both Mathis (calf) and Obada (knee) will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season.

Oh, there’s more. The most consistent and productive member of the defensive front four, Jonathan Allen, is battling Plantar Fasciitis.

Consequently, Abdullah Anderson was re-signed to the active roster.

At the roster announcement press conference Tuesday, Ben Standig asked Coach Rivera regarding injuries and Chase Young. Coach Ron replied,

“We’re not gonna talk about that. We’re gonna talk about where we are right now. We’re going forward with this right now; this was a good day.”

Suddenly, Chase Young being a contributor is again a question. After being the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Commanders have gotten almost nothing from Young.  In 2021, there were issues with Young in the offseason, and he produced nothing more than frustration for the coaches in 2021. Then, came his bad injury, ending his season.

This spring, many fans insisted Rivera was so out of line to not provide Young the fifth-year option. Are you folks still going to maintain the same position?

Obada and Mathis are definitely gone for at least four games. Might Young miss the opener? Will Allen fully recover or be limited during the season? How much will Young produce this season?

Is it any wonder Rivera is already concerned?

Commanders Jonathan Allen battling Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is not an easy injury to deal with.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Saturday that Jonathan Allen is battling Plantar fasciitis.

Rivera then added that it is not serious.

Allen has been a Pro Bowler his last two seasons and was also voted by other players into the Top 100 current players in the NFL.

Plantar fasciitis can quickly become very limiting, very painful and become a major issue if not treated properly early enough.

A man of Allen’s weight (300 pounds), and having to push off with his feet every single play, this could quickly become a serious issue if Allen does not get enough physical therapy and rest.

Plantar fasciitis was for a long time thought to be an issue primarily of inflammation. However, in recent years, studies on the tissue of those suffering from Plantar fasciitis have found it to be a matter of actual tissue death.

Certain shoes that have too small of a toe box actually restrict the tendons, muscles and blood circulation in the feet. Biopsies on some patients experiencing bad heel pain have revealed actual dying tissue.

Toe mobility and joint mobility are essential movements in physical therapy, helping the patient to address the actual root of the problem and not merely the symptoms.

The Commanders, of course, do see Allen as vital to their regular season success. It is certainly not essential that Allen continue to play this preseason. Perhaps Allen could simply undergo physical therapy throughout the remainder of the preseason and be permitted to sit out Monday’s contest at FedEx Field against the Ravens.

Commanders’ Mason Brooks and Phidarian Mathis battled Tuesday

One undrafted rookie stood out Tuesday.

Tuesday was Washington’s first day in pads, and now more know of Mason Brooks.

Head coach Ron Rivera had the team doing some one-on-one work in pads. Thus, the linemen in the trenches squared off with intensity.

The Commanders signed Brooks as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. The right guard out of Ole Miss made an impression Tuesday against defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis — Washington’s second-round pick in 2022.

The defensive line has been getting the better of the offensive line thus far in training camp. It should not be surprising. Look how much the Commanders have invested in the defensive line over the offensive line.

But when Brooks got the best of Mathis, offensive coach Juan Castillo became very excited for Brooks. So they ordered the two to go at it again, and Brooks again got the best of Mathis, this time driving Mathis to the ground.

Following practice, Mathis was asked about his day.

“It was a good day, man. I feel like the defense came out strong; we played physical, just helping the offense get better today. I think it was a great first day.”

As for the battle with Brooks? Mathis replied,

“It’s just a lot of excitement, man. It’s just the first day getting back at it; just talking a little trash. It’s just trying to get each other better.”

Mathis went down in the season opener last season, spending the rest of the season on injured reserve.

“It was long, it was kind of heartbreaking, just for the first game to go out like that. But at the same time, it was a big humbling experience, just sitting out, getting to watch those guys go out every Sunday and play. It made me look at the game differently. You just never know when it’s your last play, so you got to take everything serious. Never take this game for granted.”

Mathis realizes it is a privilege for him to have fellow tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne:

“Their game is just flawless. Those two guys together, man, they’ll attack a lot of offenses. It’s a blessing for me just to be behind those guys learning each day, just watching their game so I can add it to mine.”

Mathis said he is actually “reminding myself I can do this. This is why I got drafted here. Showing everybody that I was the second pick for a reason. I’m just coming back for what I left on the table. I left a lot out there.”

Mathis hopes to play much more in his second season.

“Whenever my name is called, I’m just trying to go in there and do my job and help out the team.”