Baltimore Sports Today

Baltimore Sports News Continuously Updated

Daily Slop – 12 May 24: Johnny Newton’s other foot; jersey number update

by

Washington Commanders v Atlanta Falcons
Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East and the NFL in general

Commanders links

Articles

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton will undergo second foot surgery since January

Washington Commanders rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton will undergo a second foot surgery since January, head coach Dan Quinn announced Saturday.

Newton, the first of Washington’s three second-round selections, did not participate in on-field work during the first two days of rookie mini-camp. The reigning Big 10 defensive player of the year underwent surgery for a right foot Jones fracture in January. He watched Friday’s opening session with a walking boot on his left foot.

Quinn said next week’s procedure is also for a Jones fracture and the earlier “procedure done is actually doing really well.” The coach, in his initial post-draft comments beyond thoughts on first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels, declined to offer a recovery timeline for Newton.

“(Johnny) has an issue with the other foot. He’ll get a procedure done in the next week and then get back started and get going with the process again,” Quinn said.

“In some ways when you have to get a procedure done, better to do it early (or) that this didn’t happen in the end of August or in September where it sets you back,” Quinn said.

Quinn said Saturday the discovery of the left foot issue was something that came up “through the process of his checkup for his (right) foot. … When you check both, that’s where it came back. But yeah, by no means is this on him or anything to go or the team in a bad way. It was just honestly just an unfortunate act and then we’ll get him right.”

Commanders.com

Jayden Daniels looks the part in first practice of rookie minicamp

— Practice started a little differently than the contingent of media members on the sideline, which was significantly larger than normal, has been used to in previous years. After the team finished their stretches, they all sprinted over to the coaching staff, where there was a line of bags waiting for them on the ground. The players sprinted through them with the coaches cheering them on. Second-round pick Mike Sainristil said it was “pre-practice competition.”

“Just getting some juice in the air. That’s all it was.”

— Daniels was praised for his poise and footwork during the pre-draft process. Granted, Daniels didn’t face anything resembling a live pass rush, but both were on display as he went through individual drills. On one drill, he dropped back, slid to his right before cutting back to his left and completing a pass to an assistant coach downfield

Commanders.com

11 things to know about Washington’s 11 UDFAs

7. Norell Pollard knows how to rush the passer.

Jer’Zhan Newton was considered a steal for the Commanders at No. 36 overall with many believing that he was the second-best interior defensive lineman on the board.

Guess who got a better pass-rush grade from PFF? Pollard ranked third in 2023 with a grade of 88, generating 30 total pressures with a win rate of 16.5% that was tied for fourth. In true pass sets, Pollard was even better with a grade of 90.4 and as many pressures (20) as Byron Murphy II.

8. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint has reliable hands.

Whoever ends up throwing passes to Rosemy-Jacksaint in training camp should be happy with how he catches the football.

Rosemy-Jacksaint was one of Georgia’s best weapons last season, not just because he was third on the team with 535 yards and four touchdowns, but also because he didn’t drop a single pass in 2023 and only two for his entire career. He also caught five contested passes on nine targets in 2023.

Commanders Wire

Commanders WR Dyami Brown to share No. 2 with Sainristil

The Commanders, in announcing their rookie jersey numbers, certainly seized the attention of many when they revealed defensive back Mike Sainristil would be wearing No. 2 this offseason.

Commanders fans certainly recognize that receiver Dyami Brown has worn No. 2 for each of his three NFL seasons here in Washington (2021-23).

It is true the Commanders are completing their 90-man roster in preparation for their off-season mini-camps, OTAs and training camp. So, while the roster is full at the 90-player capacity, yes, there will be some sharing of jersey numbers.

Podcasts & videos

Washington Commanders DT Johnny Newton Needs Foot Surgery | Dan Quinn on Jayden Daniels and OLine

NFL league links

Articles

ESPN

What we know about Cards rookie Harrison Jr.’s licensing deals

It’s been two weeks since the Arizona Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft, and fans still cannot buy Harrison’s jersey or play with him in the video game Madden.

Why? Harrison Jr., son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison, has not signed the NFLPA group licensing agreement (GLA), which allows partnering companies such as Nike and EA Sports to use a player’s name, image and likeness. For most players, signing the GLA is a formality, typically inked at the NFL combine.

The GLA not only allows the NFLPA to market its players, but it also helps every player who signs to earn additional income.

It’s an agreement between a player and the NFLPA for the players association to have exclusive rights to market a player’s name, image, likeness, signature and voice. It’s how players end up in Madden and have jerseys and memorabilia sold by retailers. The NFLPA developed the GLA in 1972 to protect the marketing rights of its players as a group and ensure players receive a share of the revenue generated.

High-profile players can earn upward of six figures based on how much they generate for products and companies linked to the GLA.

Last year, the baseline for players’ royalty payments was about $30,000.

A source told ESPN Harrison is trying to use not signing the GLA as leverage to renegotiate his Fanatics deal for more money.

NBC Sports

Bud Dupree to sign with Chargers

Edge rusher Bud Dupree is signing with the Chargers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Dupree’s two-year deal has a base salary of $6 million with another $4 million in bonuses and incentives.

Dupree, 31, completed a free agent visit with the Chargers this week after also drawing interest from the Falcons and Steelers.

All a’Twitter