The Baltimore Ravens will be the entire 2025 NFL season without increasing safety during the 2025 NFL season, after suffering an Achilles injury during offseason conditioning workouts.
Ar’darius Washington Achilles injury
The catastrophic Washington injury was first reported NFL Network‘s ian rapoport, later confirmed by MRI. It’s just months after Washington re-signed with Baltimore in a one-year, limited free agent bid of $3.263 million.
The expectations were high following the 2024 breakout campaign, earning 64 tackles, two intercepts, a sack and a forced fumble in 17 games.
History of Ar’darius Washington’s injury
This is not the first major medical hurdle Washington faced. He endured a season-ending foot injury in the rookie year and missed almost every season in 2023 with chest issues.
Last season was the first time he was healthy enough to play a full schedule, and responded to the possibility that he ultimately flashed in the TCU.
“Ar’darius is a great example of a guy who took a chance and ran,” Ravens GM Eric Decosta said in January. “He’s tough, physical, playmaker, instinctive, smart, leader. It’s just a great story.”
Unfortunately, Washington’s comeback story has been paused once more, with the Ravens defense facing another challenge heading into the 2025 season.
The Ravens rely on rookie Malaki Starks and pro bowler Kyle Hamilton
Washington’s injuries hurt, but the Ravens are safe. The team selected Georgia standout Malaki Starks for their 27th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Starks is expected to be an immediate contribution alongside Kyle Hamilton, who tallied 77 tackles and one intercept in his final college season, with 107 tackles last year and won his second Pro Bowl selection.
The Hamilton, Starks and Washington trio were expected to be one of the league’s most powerful safety rotations. The Starks have big shoes to fill, but the Baltimore is well positioned to feed the scary secondary.
