Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton off to concerning start to NFL career

Mike Moraitis

Commanders' Jer'Zhan Newton off to concerning start to NFL career image

Washington Commanders second-round pick and defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton is off to a rough start to his career in the NFL.

Newton, who had surgery to repair a a partial Jones fracture in his foot earlier this year, is now in need of the same procedure in his other foot, head coach Dan Quinn revealed during the second day of rookie minicamp on Saturday.

The procedure, Quinn says, is scheduled for next week and there is no timetable for his return. It's not clear if the Commanders knew this when they drafted him, though.

Newton suffered the other partial Jones fracture during his final collegiate season and played six games with the injury.

This is obviously a very concerning start for the big man, who now has an injury in both feet before ever stepping foot on an NFL field. Foot injuries for defensive linemen like Jones, who is over 300 pounds, are especially concerning.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis Photo

After cutting his teeth with Bleacher Report, Mike Moraitis has covered the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans for FanSided, and the Titans and New York Giants for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. On top of his duties with Sporting News, Mike is the managing editor and lead writer for Titans Wire.