Johnny Newton had surgery Wednesday to repair a pectoral muscle injury, the latest blow as the Commanders entered the back end of camp with at least 15 players recovering from injuries or still working their way back. The timing matters because Washington is trying to sort out availability now, not later, with preseason decisions and Week 1 looming.
For Casey Washington, the numbers are the story as much as the names. Laremy Tunsil remains out indefinitely with a torn triceps. Marcus Mariota is dealing with a sprained MCL, though Dan Quinn said he will be available for Week 1. Rachaad White is close to returning, while Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford are currently out. Daron Payne, Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson are also out, leaving the roster thinner at multiple spots.
Nick Allegretti has been living that reality. He missed more than three weeks with a strained calf muscle, returned to the practice field Tuesday for about 15 reps and was back in the training room the next day after his calf tightened up again. Medical imaging showed no further damage, but the Commanders will keep him out of Saturday’s preseason game in Detroit and reevaluate him Sunday. Allegretti called the return to the training room “awesome,” with the kind of flat meaning only an injured player can give it, saying he never wants to be there while camp is going on.
Quinn has tried to push the team through the injuries rather than let them drain the work. He tweaked camp after a 5-12 season to raise competition and intensity, and the multiple unscripted periods have often stretched workouts longer than planned. He also said the majority of the injuries are not expected to be long-term problems, even if the count has already climbed past a dozen and at least 15 players are in some stage of recovery. Trey Amos has practiced once all year after a fractured fibula in November and an ankle sprain soon after he came back, which shows how quickly one setback can become two.
That is the practical question now: how many of these players are actually ready when the Commanders need them? Mariota sounds on track for Week 1, White is nearing a return and Allegretti is headed for another check on Sunday, but Newton’s surgery reminds Washington that the camp injury list is not just long. It is still changing.
