Washington Redskins get glimmer of hope that Jonathan Allen will play again this season

Washington Redskins defensive end Jonathan Allen hits Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz during an NFL game on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Landover, Md.

Reports on Wednesday that Washington Redskins rookie Jonathan Allen would miss the rest of the 2017 NFL season might have been premature.

Washington placed the former Alabama All-American on injured reserve on Thursday. He suffered a Lifransic injury on Sunday during the fourth quarter of the Redskins' 26-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers and already has had surgery on his left foot to insert a screw to repair the damage.

The day after Allen got hurt, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said the defensive lineman would be out three or four weeks. After Allen consulted with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson came the reports that he would miss the rest of the season.

On Thursday, Gruden said maybe not.

"We got better news after the surgery that it wouldn't be as lengthy as some of these typically are," Gruden said. "So that's good news. But we still have to rehab it. He's a big man and sometimes bigger guys take a little bit longer. But we'll wait and see. We'll just play it by ear and, hopefully, we see him again. But it's up to the rehab."

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By placing Allen on injured reserve, Washington clears a spot on its roster for another player.

Each NFL team is allowed to bring up to two players back from injured reserve to its active roster each season. Players on short-term IR can't practice for six weeks and can't play in games for a minimum of eight weeks.

If Allen spent the minimum period on injured reserve, he would be back for Washington's final three games of the regular season.

Playing for Alabama, Allen was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2016 season. In his third all-conference campaign, Allen also earned the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lombardi Award. The Bednarik and Nagurski annually go to the nation's best defensive player, and the Lombardi is presented annually to the nation's top lineman or linebacker.

Allen joined Washington as the 17th player picked in the NFL Draft on April 27.

Allen had started all five games for Washington this season. The Redskins had used Allen as a defensive end in their base scheme and shifted him to defensive tackle in their nickel package. He's been on the field more than any other Washington defensive lineman -- 53 percent of the snaps.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.

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