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John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer
ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders second-round pick Johnny Newton will undergo surgery within a week to repair an injury to his left foot — about four months after the defensive tackle had a procedure done for a similar injury on his right foot.
Newton suffered a partial Jones fracture of his right foot sometime during the past season at Illinois and underwent surgery in January. During a recent checkup on the repaired foot — it’s uncertain when that occurred — Commanders coach Dan Quinn said doctors determined he had a similar issue with his left foot.
Newton did not participate in Washington’s rookie minicamp practices this weekend, standing off to the side and wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
Newton was projected as a possible first-round pick; Washington selected him with the 36th pick.
Quinn said he’s glad that Newton will have the procedure now rather than “the end of August or in September where it sets you back.” Quinn did not want to provide a timetable for when Newton might be ready to return. After having the surgery in January, Newton did not participate in drills at the scouting combine in late February but did take part in his personal pro day on April 16.
On the night he was drafted Newton said, “I’m fully healed now. I’m fully ready to go. The injury happened midseason, got surgery on it in January, healed up, fully healed, then I did a pro day back in Illinois and ever since then I’ve been ready to go.”
Quinn said, “It’s just an unfortunate act that he had and we’ll get him right.”
Newton told the Illini Inquirer in February that he was unsure when he hurt his right foot, though he said it likely occurred during the middle of the season. It did not deter him from eventually being named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the year. In four years, Newton recorded 27 tackles for a loss and 18 sacks.
“Man, do we have high hopes for him,” Quinn said. “He’s such a kick-ass competitor.”
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