The Washington Redskins received more information Wednesday about the Lisfranc sprain injury that rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Allen suffered this past weekend. Allen was injured in the 26-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, it was first thought that he would only miss 3-4 miss weeks. That prognosis shifted Wednesday when Dr. Robert Anderson informed the team that Allen will miss the rest of the 2017-2018 season, effectively ending his rookie campaign.
#Redskins rookie DE Jonathan Allen (Lisfranc) is expected to miss the rest of the season, per source. 1st reported by @john_keim
— Master Tesfatsion (@MasterTes) October 18, 2017
Promising rookie year over after six games
Allen, the Redskins first-round draft pick this past spring, was seen coming out of the locker-room Sunday with a walking boot cast on the injured foot.
Through six games Allen was proving to be a disruptive force on the defensive front with three sacks, two quarterback hits, and eight hurries.
The team will have to look to Anthony Lanier to step-up and fill Allen's spot in the rotation, but they remain hopeful that second-year defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis will continue to impress. The Redskins will also look to Stacy McGee, Terrell McClain, and Ziggy Hood to step up their production along the defensive line. The pressure that Allen and Ioannidis have provided while in nickel packages this season has allowed the Redskins to continue to only rush four guys on passing downs while still hitting home in terms of quarterback pressure.
Allen's injury is a major blow to everything that has worked on the defensive front for Washington, but defensive line coach Jim Tomsula has been known for coaching players up and through adversity.
This could very well be a chance for someone else to show the team what they have. In the NFL often times these players are just one injury away from having a career or staying an unknown player who has never been given a shot.
Other injury news
In other injury news, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden updated reporters Monday about the team's defensive back's; Stefan McClure had a knee hyperextension and was listed as week-to-week, Montae Nicholson has an aggravated shoulder issue -- he's listed as day-to-day and Bashaud Breeland was hopefully not going to miss any time but is banged up with a sore knee.
Gruden went on to say he would have a more in-depth look at the injury situation later in the week. When pressed about Josh Norman Gruden said that Josh could very well return to practice this week, but for now he is being told to increase his exercise and running and will be reevaluated mid-week to determine his status.
Allen's Lisfranc injury prognosis is not the only news that's changed since Gruden had his last press conference as kicker Dustin Hopkins has also been placed on injured reserve.
The thought is that Hopkins could return after eight weeks under the IR rule that allows two players to be designated that have previously been on the team's injured reserve. If Hopkins were to return it would come no sooner than week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Gruden also said that safety DeAngelo Hall would soon be designated for a return to the roster. Gruden said the team is going to bring Hall along slow, once he's activated it will start a 21-day window that is basically there for him to get into football shape. Gruden wants to make sure he's 100 percent before they activate him.