Commanders strengthen the defensive line and activate Jonathan Allen

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Commanders bolstered their defensive line by removing tackle Jonathan Allen from the injured reserve list, more than two months after he was feared out for the season.

The Commanders created a roster spot by waiving defensive tackle and 2021 second-round pick Phidarian Mathis, another top draft pick from the previous regime that is no longer with the franchise.

Allen’s return comes at a good time. Washington (10-5) hosts Atlanta (8-7) on Sunday night with a chance to secure a playoff spot. The Commanders could clinch a postseason spot earlier in the day if Carolina beats Tampa Bay. Washington also remains alive for the No. 6 seed, currently held by Green Bay.

Allen’s return can help both Chases, although he will likely count in the short term when he returns to the lineup. Rookie Jer’Zhan Newton started alongside Daron Payne in place of Allen.

“I’m excited,” defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said Thursday. “(Allen) just gives us another experienced player, a quality player who can go in and give those quality snaps inside, who can attack the quarterback, force the pocket and be disruptive.”

Allen tore his left pectoral muscle in a Week 6 loss at Baltimore and was placed on the injured list on October 16 with the expectation that he would be out for the season. However, during the operation, doctors discovered that the tear was not as serious as feared and that a return was possible if he was well.

A survey earlier this month added to the optimism, and two weeks ago Washington launched the 21-day window to activate it. The second week of training also made a difference.

“Night and day difference,” Allen said Thursday. “Football is not a game that you can stop playing after a while and keep playing. Having two weeks to work and prepare is huge for me.”

Allen, who made the Pro Bowl after the 2021 and ’22 seasons, recorded two sacks in the first six games. Washington selected him in the first round of the 2017 draft. Since August, under first-year general manager Adam Peters, the Commanders have traded 2022 first-round receiver Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia and 2021 first-round linebacker Jamin Davis and 2023 first-round corner Emmanuel Forbes Jr., and now waived Mathis.

Of the seven players the organization drafted in the first or second round from 2020 to 2023, only two are still on the roster: right guard Sam Cosmi and safety Quan Martin. On Friday, Washington announced that cornerback Marshon Lattimore would miss another game due to a re-injury to his left hamstring.

Four other players will miss Sunday: receiver Dyami Brown (hamstring), right tackle Andrew Wylie (groin), safety Tyler Owens (ankle) and linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring).