Tag: Jonathan Allen

Why the Commanders should not go ‘all in’ on Myles Garrett

Why the Commanders should not go all-in for Myles Garrett.

Wow, there is much excitement in the DMV on February 4, 2025.

Tuesday was spent hyperventilating about Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett, requesting to be traded, and some asserting that the Commanders are a front-runner to get him this offseason.

The Commanders will select 29th overall in the annual April NFL draft. Unfortunately, Jayden Daniels had such a great year that the Commanders did not improve from the 2nd overall pick to 9th or 19th. Daniels led the Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship game, thus earning the 29th overall draft position.

For those wanting the trade, I will grant that a pass rusher of Garrett’s abilities will most likely be gone (long gone) by the time the Commanders are on the clock at 29. Consequently, that could be an argument for going after Garrett.

When Jonathan Allen was drafted by Washington 17th overall in the 2017 draft, Garrett was drafted first overall by Cleveland. Garrett has certainly come through for Cleveland, producing 102.5 sacks, and has arguably been the NFL’s best defensive player since entering the league.

Did I mention Garrett led the NFL in tackles for a loss (TFL) this season with 22? He was also second in QB sacks with 14. By contrast, Dante Fowler led Washington with 14 TFL.

But, as my dad who grew up farming, reminded me more than a few times, “Boy, there are two sides to every coin.”

One side of the coin is Garrett would bring more TFLs and more QB sacks. The other side is how much are you trading away to get Garrett? One side says Garrett is the missing piece the Commanders need. The other side in me says, No, Garrett is not the missing piece the Commanders need because the Commanders need more than one piece. They need several new players next season.

One suggestion was trading away rookie offensive tackle Brandon Coleman — plus multiple premium draft picks. The Commanders’ offensive line often did not sustain the running game last season, and Sam Cosmi will be out much of the year, tearing his ACL in January.

So, would general manager Adam Peters trade Coleman — plus a lot more — after already not having Cosmi for much of next season?

Would Peters trade first round draft picks and a starter or two for Garrett and leave himself with more holes in next year’s roster than he already has now?

Commanders will miss Daron Payne vs Eagles

An already struggling run defense will miss Daron Payne.

It’s easy to look at Washington’s run defense rankings and say the Commanders have issues at defensive tackle. Washington finished the regular season ranked No. 30 in run defense. In two playoff games, the Commanders have allowed 302 rushing yards and face the NFL’s second-ranked rushing offense — the Philadelphia Eagles — in the NFC championship game.

And Washington will do so without defensive tackle Daron Payne. Listed as questionable on the injury report all week with a broken finger and a knee injury, the Commanders officially ruled Payne out on Saturday to make a roster move for more depth.

Washington will rely on Jonathan Allen, rookie Jer’Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes and Carl Davis to stop MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. In two games this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns — with Payne.

Fans look at Payne’s salary cap figure and say he doesn’t do enough to justify his pay. In terms of pure statistics, it’s a fair argument. Payne’s best year came in 2022 — a contract year — earning him a four-year contract worth $90 million.

On Saturday, Bill Barnwell of ESPN produced a statistic proving Payne’s value to the Commanders’ run defense.

Something worth pointing out is that Allen missed nine games with a torn pec this season, so those numbers are somewhat skewed. Allen and Newton will start, while Day, Davis, and Holmes will see plenty of action. Day and Holmes have been pleasant surprises for Washington this season. Both veterans were added to the 53-man roster in October.

So, while Payne’s pass-rushing numbers may be down, he still produces against the run. Payne was a first-round pick in 2018, and Sunday’s game will be just the second he’s ever missed.

Sunday’s game is an “all-hands-on-deck” situation. Washington will miss Payne.

Commanders’ Jon Allen grateful for Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen expressed his gratitude after first career playoff win.

Jonathan Allen has been through so much with the Commanders.

He was drafted in the first round (17th overall) in the 2017 NFL draft. He had never been a part of a winning season until this 2024 season.

He has seen players, coaches, and staff come and go, even new owners.

On Sunday, following the Commanders’ 23-20 walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Bucs, Allen thanked Dan Quinn in the locker room.

“I have to give a lot of credit to Coach Quinn,” Allen said. “When you have a leader who can see the vision, who can see the forest for the trees, is consistent and stays with his messaging to the team week in and week out, it’s hard not to improve.”

Allen voiced his frustration in the locker room last year following an irritating 14-7 loss to the NY Giants on the road. It was as if that loss was all Allen could take. It was as if the volcano had reached the stage of eruption.

Sunday night, he continued to praise Quinn. “The staff he put together, he and Mr. Peters (Adam), is awesome.”

When asked about rookie Jayden Daniels, Allen responded as if he had just come out of a one-on-one with his former Alabama HC Nick Saban. It was classic.

“The hard part about being a great player is you do great things so often, you get used to it,” Allen said. “You come to expect it. For him to surprise us, he would have to do something probably unheard of. I mean, the way he played tonight, I mean I know he is a rookie, but to be honest no one on this team looks at him as a rookie.”

More from Allen on Daniels.

“He is the face of the franchise. We know what he brings. We know what he does. He is humble; he works hard. Nothing that he did today surprised us.”

His last words to the media were, “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

After returning from a partially torn pectoral muscle to be part of his first winning NFL season and play in his first NFL-winning playoff game, Jon Allen is undoubtedly thankful and appreciates his opportunity.

Daron Payne injury vs. Buccaneers: Latest update on Commanders DT

Daron Payne left with an injury in the second quarter.

Daron Payne has been with the Washington Commanders since he was selected 13th overall in the 2018 NFL draft. Throughout his seven NFL seasons, he has missed just one game.

During the first half of Washington’s NFL wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Payne was injured, appearing to favor his hand, and in severe pain.

He did not return in the first half.

Early in the third quarter, NBC’s Melissa Stark gave an injury update on Payne, saying it was classified as a finger injury. Payne remained in the locker room on Tampa Bay’s first offensive possession.

The Commanders said Payne was questionable to return.

With Payne out, rookie Johnny Newton and Jonathan Allen will see the bulk of snaps at defensive tackle. All three generally rotate, along with Sheldon Day and Jalyn Holmes.

The Buccaneers scored on their first second-half possession to take the lead. We’ll keep you posted on Payne’s status.

Joe Whitt is excited to possibly be getting back this Commander

Washington defensive coordinator can’t wait to get Jonathan Allen back.

With Jonathan Allen looking like he is getting closer to returning, one coaching staff member is very excited.

At Thursday’s weekly press conference, both coordinators met with the media. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. didn’t shy away from the prospect of Allen returning soon to the inside rotation of the Commanders defensive line.

“Oh, I’m excited. With the opportunity of getting him back, hopefully that happens.”

Some have insisted Allen was not having a good year before he was injured. In fact, they have said it was a bad year.

But how so? Allen was injured and lost during the sixth game, a loss to the Ravens. In those five full games and some of the Ravens game, Allen actually had produced 13 solo tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss, and six additional QB hits. Keep in mind that is from the inside. So, for five and one-half games, Allen was not having “a bad year.”

Whitt understands that if he does get back Allen at defensive tackle, he comprehends Allen will not be playing the majority of snaps. They need to see him in a more limited role his first time back in games.

“When he gets back in, I’m sure he’ll be on the pitch count, but I don’t know what that number will be. I’ll let the medical staff and AP [General Manager Adam Peters] and DQ [Head Coach Dan Quinn] lead that way.”

So, at this point, Whitt comprehends that a Jonathan Allen who only plays 25 (1/4) to 33 (1/3) percent of the defensive snaps is better than no Jonathan Allen at all. So, Whitt will be happy and thankful to get Allen back in the lineup for however much he can get him.

“He gives us just another veteran player, high pedigree player that can go in and give those quality snaps inside, that can get after the quarterback, push the pocket, be disruptive. So, we’re excited to get him back.”

If Allen does return soon, it will also mean him returning to the 53-man roster and someone else being released. Might that someone be Phidarian Mathis?

Commanders DT Jonathan Allen ‘ready to play’ in Week 17 vs. Falcons

Jonathan Allen is ready to return on Sunday.

Could Jonathan Allen play this week for the Washington Commanders? The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle believes he’ll be ready for a return after missing the past nine games with a partially torn pec.

Allen met with the media after Thursday’s practice and was asked if the plan was for him to play on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

“To my knowledge, it is, but I don’t wanna speak for them,” Allen said. “Obviously, we’ll see moving forward, I’m preparing as if I’m playing, so we’ll go from there.”

The Commanders are currently 10-5 and playing meaningful football in December. Allen, who is in his eighth NFL season — all with Washington — has been a part of several losing teams. So, was it hard for to miss this time when the team is actually good?

“Whenever you’re not out there with the team, it’s always tough,” Allen said. “But knowing all the guys in the locker room, it’s exciting for them and I knew there was going to be an opportunity for me to come back.”

The Commanders host the Falcons on Sunday Night Football and could clinch a playoff berth before the game kicks off.

Commanders rule out DT Jonathan Allen for Week 16 vs. Eagles

Jonathan Allen will not return — yet.

Jonathan Allen’s return will have to wait another week. The Washington Commanders ruled out the veteran defensive tackle for Sunday’s Week 16 showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Allen, who tore his pec in a Week 6 loss at Baltimore, returned to practice this week when the Commanders opened his 21-day practice window. Washington has 21 days to activate Allen to the 53-man roster, or he’ll miss the remainder of the season. When the team opens a practice window for a player, the player is generally close to returning.

News first broke of Allen’s potential return late last week. John Keim of ESPN reported that Allen’s torn pec was only a partial tear and that he was attempting to return this season. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Allen was working his way back. 

Quinn said the following regarding Allen on Friday:

“So, he had a really good week,” Quinn said. “I was very encouraged and we’re just going to keep progressing to make the steps. I’d be encouraged heading into next week as we’re going through it, but he did an excellent job; I was really impressed. So, that’s the only player we’ll rule out.”

Washington’s defense has continued to improve throughout the season. The Commanders rank 11th in total defense and fifth in pass defense. However, they are 25th against the run. Allen’s potential return would be welcome news.

 

Commanders rule out star defensive tackle for critical game vs. Eagles

Commanders rule out star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen for critical game vs. the Eagles

The Commanders opened defensive tackle Jonathan Allen’s 21-day window to return to the roster on Wednesday, but he won’t be active for Sunday’s critical game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The two-time Pro Bowler was allowed to practice for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, but Washington will hold him out at least one more week.

Allen, who underwent surgery to repair his partially torn pec, was initially thought to be lost for the season. However, now, he can appear in one of Washington’s remaining three regular-season games or possibly a playoff game.

The Commanders currently hold the No. 7 seed in the playoffs but need to hold off other teams like the Atlanta Falcons, who are also vying for that spot. Two of their next three opponents — the Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles — are in the top 12 of rushing yards per game, while the Commanders have allowed 132 yards per game on the ground.

 

 

 

Commanders could get DT Jonathan Allen back soon

More good news for Jonathan Allen and the Commanders.

We learned last week that Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen could return this season. Allen tore his pec in a Week 6 game at Baltimore. And while a torn pec is often a season-ending injury, Allen’s was only a partial tear, giving the Commanders hope that he could return this season.

On Wednesday, Washington opened Allen’s 21-day practice window, meaning it has 21 days to either activate him from injured reserve to the 53-man roster or end his season. When a team opens an injured player’s 21-day window, they are likely close to a return.

Head coach Dan Quinn spoke about Allen’s potential return on Wednesday.

“Yeah, well first I think it’s a remarkable part of the rehab, for him to go through it,” Quinn said. “There’s a lengthy protocol in the return to make sure we don’t miss a step along the way. For us, you’ve heard us say protecting the team, that’s the player too. So, we did that with Marshon [Lattimore] too and [Allen’s] really worked hard to get ready into this space. So, we’ll just kind of take it, practice as we’re going, but he’ll be back in with the team today and going through it.”

Allen did practice but was limited.

Allen’s potential return comes when the Commanders are battling to make the playoffs. At 9-5, Washington currently possesses the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoff field. The Commanders host the Eagles this weekend and close the season against the Falcons and Cowboys.

Positive injury update on Commanders DT Jonathan Allen

The Commanders could get Jonathan Allen back before the end of the season.

When Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen suffered a pectoral injury in Washington’s Week 6 loss at Baltimore, almost everyone believed it would be season-ending.

Allen underwent surgery, and things were quiet regarding his status.

On Friday, ahead of the Commanders’ Week 15 game at New Orleans, John Keim of ESPN reported there’s a chance that Allen could return before the conclusion of the 2024 season.

From Keim’s report:

Allen suffered the injury in a Week 6 loss at Baltimore, but during surgery doctors discovered that his muscle was only partially torn, sparking the initial hope for a late-season return. Further checkups have at least helped him maintain the belief that a return is possible, sources said.

Since being sidelined, the Commanders have used rookie Johnny Newton, Phidarian Mathis and Sheldon Day in Allen’s place alongside Daron Payne. Allen’s potential return would be a big boost for a defense that has struggled to stop the run in 2024.

Washington will have cornerback Marshon Lattimore on the field for the first time Sunday since acquiring him via trade last month.

Allen, 29, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection with 41 career sacks. As Keim noted, there’s no guarantee of a return this season, but Allen is working toward a potential return.