Commanders activate rookie DT Johnny Newton from NFI list

Washington rookie defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton will be on the field when the Commanders open training camp on Wednesday after all.

Head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media Wednesday morning before practice and said Newton was activated from the NFI (non-football injury) list. The Commanders placed him on the NFI list last week.

Quinn indicated that Newton was cleared on Tuesday.

“First one, Johnny Newton, will be able to, he got cleared yesterday, scans, doctors, all the good stuff,” Quinn said. “He’ll begin in the individual process; you won’t see him in the team work today like we had discussed yesterday. But we’ll follow along on that process. That’s some great news. He has absolutely busted his ass to do everything he can to get ready, so what a great sign for him.”

Newton, the No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, suffered a Jones fracture in one foot at some point during his senior season at Illinois. As he was recovering from surgery in the spring, he learned he had a similar condition in the opposite foot.

This is great news for the Commanders as they’ll have their entire rookie class on the field to begin training camp.

In a corresponding move, Washington placed defensive lineman Efe Obada on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Obada, who re-signed on a one-year deal in the offseason, suffered a leg injury late last season and is still recovering.