The Washington Commanders had already placed defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw on injured reserve, but the team has now suffered another significant blow. The veteran defender had been dealing with a knee issue, and his latest setback will force Washington to move forward without one of its important defensive pieces for the remainder of the season.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Kinlaw is officially out for the season after undergoing season-ending surgery on his MCL Tuesday. The procedure means he will join Daron Payne on Washington's growing list of defensive players ruled out for the rest of the year.

“Commanders DL Javon Kinlaw underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday on his MCL. Now Commanders defensive linemen Kinlaw and Daron Payne both have suffered season-ending injuries in recent weeks,” Schefter wrote.

Kinlaw initially sustained the knee injury during Washington's Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The Commanders had a Week 7 bye to give their injured players additional recovery time. However, the veteran defensive tackle still wasn't healthy enough to return for their Week 8 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kinlaw's injury is a significant setback considering the production he provided during the 2026 season. The 29-year-old defensive tackle recorded 13 tackles and one sack before his season came to an abrupt end. While those numbers might not fully capture his overall contribution, his presence along the interior defensive line had been an important part of Washington's defensive rotation.

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The Commanders signed Kinlaw to a three-year, $45 million contract in March 2025, expecting him to become an important piece of their defensive front. However, Washington will now have to play the remainder of the season without the veteran defender.

Losing two key interior defensive linemen in such a short period leaves Washington with considerably less depth heading into its upcoming games. Tim Settle and Shy Tuttle are among the available options to help fill the void, while Jer'Zhan Newton could also become an important contributor as he works his way back from a pectoral injury.