Javon Kinlaw’s surgery leaves Commanders weighing an expensive goodbye

Washington Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw has undergone surgery for an MCL complication and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. The injury comes after fellow defensive lineman Daron Payne suffered a season-ending foot fracture. Kinlaw had shown improvement this season playing as a 3-4 defensive end under Daronte Jones, but his campaign was cut short after his knee failed to progress.

Dean Jones writes that general manager Adam Peters faces an expensive decision regarding Kinlaw's future. Kinlaw counts $16.9 million against the salary cap in the final year of his three-year, $45 million contract. Releasing him would save $7 million with $9.9 million in dead money, or $13.3 million with a post-June 1 designation, but could leave the defensive front severely depleted.