Ravens Key Defender Tears Achilles
Baltimore safety Ar’Darius Washington tore his Achilles Tendon during a conditioning session on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, confirmed with an MRI per Ian Rapoport via X. Washington, who was expected to play a big role for the Ravens this upcoming season, had a career year with the Ravens in 2024, recording 64 tackles, two interceptions and one sack in 17 games. Washington also took over as starting safety for the final 10 games next to Kyle Hamilton after an abysmal start to the season for the Ravens’ defense, which was ranked in the bottom percentile in almost every statistic after the first eight weeks of the season. The 2021 undrafted free agent earned himself a $3.263 million restricted free agent tender, allowing the Ravens to keep him for one more year.
The RFA tender signed by Washington was meant to help the TCU alumni improve his chances of a big payday after the 2025 season, showcasing that his 2024 production was not a one-year wonder. Unfortunately, this roadblock will put all of that in jeopardy. The Ravens still have Kyle Hamilton under contract until after the 2026 season and just drafted rookie Malaki Starks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, essentially keeping him in Baltimore until at least 2029, barring any circumstances that get players cut or traded before their rookie deal expires. Outside of the two I just mentioned, the Ravens will either sign a veteran free agent in the coming days or ask young prospects like Beau Brade or Sanoussi Kane to step up in Washington’s absence.
Usually, when a player tears their Achilles, their season would immediately be over. On the bright side, there have been instances where a player has returned from the injury with an accelerated timeline because of a new operational technique called the SpeedBridge repair, shortening the recovery time from 12 months to five months. For example, it was believed Aaron Rodgers would return at the end of the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles on the first drive of a Week One win versus the Bills. However, since the Jets were firmly out of playoff contention, the Jets opted to rest Rodgers for the rest of the season. Even before that, RB Cam Akers had the surgery done before the beginning of training camp, allowing him to return for Week 18 of the 2021 season and participate throughout the playoffs, getting a handful of touches in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory over the Bengals. Lastly, the procedure was also used on QB Deshaun Watson after a Week Seven matchup, ending his 2024 season. While the new technique was used on Watson, it is unclear how Watson re-ruptured his Achilles while recovering, subsequently casting doubt on his return for the 2025 season.
This news is devastating for Ar’Darius Washington, the Baltimore Ravens, and fans of the franchise. This is not the news update fans of any team want to see before training camp even starts. The Ravens have some questions to answer and expectations to place in terms of personnel before the season begins. If not, it could be another bumpy beginning for Zach Orr’s defense. I wish Ar’Darius a successful surgery, speedy recovery, and hope to see him playing for the Ravens Flock before he tests free agency again.
