Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington has reportedly suffered a torn Achilles during conditioning, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
It's a brutal blow for a player coming off a breakout season and who was expected to have a major role in Baltimore's defense again.
Washington signed his one-year restricted free agent tender on April 21 and is one of the team's top three safeties along with Kyle Hamilton and first-round pick Malaki Starks.
Washington, 25, stepped into the starting lineup midway through last season and helped stabilize the Ravens' secondary next to Hamilton. A formerly undrafted player, Washington was one of the season's best stories and defense's most impactful players.
Playing bigger than his 5-foot-8 size, Washington had an interception in his second start against Denver, forced a key fumble in a 12-tackle performance against Pittsburgh, and made a goal-line fourth-down tackle in Houston.
This wouldn't be the first time Washington would have to overcome a major injury. He suffered a season-ending foot injury during his rookie season, then suffered a chest injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season that sidelined him for nearly the whole year.
The Ravens do have insurance with Starks primed to be a significant early contributor and likely starter. Baltimore also has rising second-year safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade, and the reported injury could push the Ravens to make a veteran addition.
