Newton Out for Season After Pectoral Surgery | Illinois Fighting Illini Football News

Commanders’ defense takes a major hit as second-round pick Jer’zhan Newton, a rising star with 82 tackles and 7 sacks in his first two seasons—including 5 sacks in 2025—undergoes surgery for a torn pectoral. With recovery potentially spanning 3-6 months, his return is uncertain, and the team may consider sitting him out later this season to protect his long-term health. His Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors underscore just how much they’ll miss his presence. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/43bc1f180e19b5b6