Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen returned to practice on Wednesday and could make it back this season, two months after having surgery to fix a torn pectoral muscle.
The team opened a 21-day practice window for Allen, which gives him the chance to play after he was initially expected to be out for the rest of the season. He injured himself during Washington’s game on October 13 against Baltimore and had surgery later that month.
“Whenever you get the game taken away from you, it’s always humbling,” Allen said after practice. “Just really excited to be back with the team and, yeah, just happy to be back out here.”
Allen, who will turn 30 in January, took part in individual drills during the portion of practice open to reporters. He wore a black non-contact jersey, was listed as a limited participant on the injury report, and called it a good first day.
Coach Dan Quinn explained that Allen’s injury was not as bad as originally feared, and the team realized shortly after the surgery that a return was possible.
“We had an idea, but you just never know,” Allen said. “I just wanted to just work in silence and just keep going until I had a real opportunity.”
Allen traveled to New York for a checkup and met all the requirements to get back on the field. Team officials talked with the surgeon and gave Allen the green light to try his best.
“He’s built different, for sure,” Quinn said. “It’s a remarkable part of the rehab for him to go through it. There’s a lengthy protocol in the return to make sure we don’t miss a step along the way.”
The Commanders now have three weeks to either activate Allen or place him back on injured reserve. Playing this Sunday against NFC East leaders Philadelphia seems unlikely, but Allen could return for one of the final two games: December 29 against Atlanta or January 4 or 5 at Dallas.
“It’s just about going out there and just feeling comfortable,” Allen said. “Just trying to work my you-know-what off every day so I can help this team in any way possible.”
Allen made 15 tackles and had two sacks in five and a half games before his injury. A first-round pick in 2017 out of Alabama, he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022 and is Washington’s second-longest tenured player after punter Tress Way.
“To have him out there was a great feeling for the D-line,” rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton said. “He’s our leader for the D-line, him and (Daron) Payne, so having him out there is just a new level of energy and just happiness for everybody.”
