For the fans of most teams, the news that a rotational defensive lineman is returning from injury is met with bland indifference. But that’s not the case in Washington.
It seems likely that the most significant return-from-injury for the Washington Football Team in 2021 won’t be strong safety Landon Collins, quarterback Kyle Allen, offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles, or 3rd-year receiver Kelvin Harmon, but 27-year-old 6th-year defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis.
On most NFL teams, Matt Ioannidis would likely be a key defensive star; in Washington he has to share the spotlight. Ioannidis is a starter (per Pro Football Reference, he started 15 of 16 games in 2019) and an important part of a rotation that puts him, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the field for a similar number of snaps.