Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn addressed the media during his weekly Monday press conference, delivering unfortunate injury news regarding second-year defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste. The promising edge rusher suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the team’s 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
“Some tough news on Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Pec injury and that will knock him out for a while for sure,” Quinn stated in his opening remarks.
When pressed on whether the injury would end Jean-Baptiste’s 2025 season, Quinn elaborated: “Yeah, for sure he’ll head to injured reserve. Until he has the surgery, I don’t think they’ll know to the extent of what that could look like. So, that’s what I meant, it could be [season-ending]. We’ll have a better sense after he goes through the procedure, but torn pec is usually something that’s months, not weeks. Yeah, and we’re bummed for him. He’s worked hard to come back from injuries and starting to make his move again. So, definitely a setback for him and a blow for us as well.”
Jean-Baptiste, a 2024 seventh-round draft pick, had earned a regular role in Washington’s edge rusher rotation, recording one sack in four games this season. His move to injured reserve marks the second loss of a defensive end for the Commanders this year, following starter Deatrich Wise’s season-ending injury in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.
Pectoral injuries are often season-ending unless the tear is partial. For context, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen suffered a partial pec tear in Week 6 last season and returned in Week 17. Quinn provided no further details on the severity of Jean-Baptiste’s tear.
To address the earlier loss of Wise, the Commanders promoted Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad and signed veteran free agent Preston Smith. Smith, in his second stint with the franchise, has yet to see game action but could debut in Week 5.
The Washington Commanders (2-2) will face the Los Angeles Chargers on the road next week, aiming to rebound from their recent loss while adjusting to the absence of key defensive players.