In a surprising turn of events, rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton, who was once a top prospect, will require a second foot surgery. Newton's slide to Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft had left many Detroit Lions fans questioning the reason behind it.

Leading up to the draft, there were multiple potential candidates for the Lions at pick 29. However, the team decided to trade up to the 24th overall pick to select defensive back prospect Terrion Arnold. Amidst the anticipation, another notable name remained on the board – Johnny Newton.

Newton, known for his character and production as a defensive tackle from Illinois, would have been a favorable choice for the Lions at pick 29. Yet, despite the pre-draft hype and interest, Newton fell out of the first round entirely. Finally, with the 36th pick, he found a home with the Washington Commanders.

During a press conference, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn disclosed that Newton would undergo another foot surgery in the coming weeks. The injury is not to the same foot that was affected during his college season but is the same type of injury. Newton endured a Jones fracture in his right foot last season and underwent surgery in January. Astonishingly, just four months later, he now requires the same surgery on his left foot for the same injury.

Another prospect from the 2024 NFL Draft, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, also suffered a Jones fracture before the NFL Combine, which could have contributed to his slide in the draft. It appears that the occurrence of two separate injuries within a year may have caused Newton to fall further in the draft than initially anticipated.

The exact timeline for Newton's recovery remains uncertain, leaving unanswered questions about how this injury influenced his draft position. It is worth contemplating whether teams, including the Lions, were deterred by knowledge of his injury.

The Lions have previously selected players with lingering college injuries, such as Jameson Williams and James Mitchell. However, the decision to draft defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike in 2021 despite a lingering back issue from college may have been a learning experience for General Manager Brad Holmes. Onwuzurike's development was hampered by his injury, and the Lions may have wanted to avoid a similar situation with Newton.

While the reason behind Newton's draft slide has sparked speculation, one thing is certain: the Lions are pleased to have Terrion Arnold, their chosen defensive back, in their ranks.