New Commanders safety suffers leg fracture

Harris is in his first season with the Commanders. A third-round pick for the Lions in 2019, the Boston College product immediately became a strong rotation piece in Detroit’s secondary behind then-starters Tracy Walker and Tavon Wilson in Year 1 and Walker and Duron Harmon in Year 2. By Year 3, it was Harris’ turn to start next to Walker, and in 17 starts, he finished second on the team in total tackles.

As useful as Harris’ versatility in playing snaps all over the field was, it also allowed him to be moved when new starters came to occupy his position. This happened in 2022, when Harris was utilized as a cornerback and nickelback after new additions to the roster put him fourth in the pecking order at safety. His role as a safety continued to diminish in 2023, and he saw severely reduced playing time overall on the Lions defense in his final year with the team.

Last year, Harris signed a veteran minimum contract with the Saints and won a camp competition for the starting strong safety job next to Tyrann Mathieu. In 13 starts with New Orleans, Harris had a resurgent season with 74 total tackles, five passes defensed, and an interception. Harris leveraged the strong year into a two-year, $8MM deal with the Commanders to start next to Quan Martin, replacing Jeremy Chinn.

The Commanders aren’t terribly deep at the safety position. Former All-Pro special teamer Jeremy Reaves holds the most experience in the group as an eighth-year veteran, but he hasn’t played significant snaps on defense since 2022. Percy Butler could step into a role as a starter that he held for most of 2023, but Butler fell down the pecking order over the last year and a half for a reason. He’ll likely have to do, though, since Tyler Owens — an undrafted rookie last year who played solely on special teams — is the only other safety on the roster.

While Reaves or Butler fill in on defense, Washington will keep a close eye on Harris. If Harris’ fracture is minor enough, there’s certainly a chance that he’ll be able to make a return later on in the year. Until then, the Commanders will have to continue to overcome injury issues early in the season.