Commanders sign DT as Jonathan Allen has plantar fasciitis

The Washington Commanders are dealing with a slew of injuries. One position hit the most is defensive tackle. Phidarian Mathis suffered a calf injury in Washington’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns last week. Now, Jonathan Allen is dealing with an injury.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera revealed Allen has plantar fasciitis. However, Rivera added the ailment is not serious.

“We’ve had a few good, really good weeks of camp and we’re just trying to be really smart about something. Jon Allen, he’s just messing with plantar fasciitis, nothing serious right there,” Rivera said, per Matthew Paras of The Washington Times.

Plantar fasciitis can be a lingering issue if not dealt with correctly. Allen is imperative to Washington’s success this season, as he and Daron Payne make up one of the more formidable DT duos in the entire NFL.

Hopefully, the Commanders’ precautions will get Jonathan Allen up to par for the start of the regular season.

Meanwhile, Phidarian Mathis is coming off a knee injury last year in Week 1 that cost him the rest of the season. The calf injury stalls his progress.

With Allen and Mathis down, the Commanders signed defensive tackle Isaiah Mack. Mack has bounced around the league after going undrafted in 2019 out of UT Chattanooga.

Mack has played for the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Baltimore Ravens. He appeared in two games for the Ravens last season. Mack also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks. He joined the New York Jets this offseason but got released on Aug. 8.

The Commanders host the Ravens Monday night in its second preseason game. Washington also will play the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 26. It will be interesting to see if Allen and Mathis appear again in the preseason. It’s more important to see the defensive tackles get back on the practice field before Washington’s Sept. 10 regular season opener against Arizona.