Ravens can’t let Ar’Darius Washington's injury revive failed experiment

Some things are better left in the past. Just ask anyone who’s gone back to an ex. It might feel comfortable. Familiar. Easy. But sometimes, it didn’t work out for a reason—and no amount of nostalgia will change that. The Baltimore Ravens now find themselves in a similar position after learning that safety Ar’Darius Washington tore his Achilles during conditioning and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 season. It’s a crushing blow for a player who helped anchor the Ravens’ midseason defensive turnaround last year. Washington stepped into the starting lineup midway through 2024, replacing Marcus Williams and immediately stabilizing the back end of the secondary alongside Kyle Hamilton. The defense tightened up, communication improved, and Baltimore ended up finishing top 10 in yards and points allowed. Washington’s return on a one-year, $3.26 million tender was viewed as a smart, affordable piece of continuity in a retooling secondary. Now, it’s back to the drawing board—and that’s where that t