The Baltimore Ravens will be without a key part of their defense in safety Ar’Darius Washington after he tore his Achilles during an offseason conditioning session.

Washington, 25, was heading into his fifth season in the NFL and was expected to be a key cog in the Ravens’ team, but is now set to miss the entire campaign.

Adam Schefter revealed the news on Tuesday night, adding that he had undergone an MRI scan to confirm the devastating diagnosis.

In a further blow for Washington, he is on his RFA tender and was seeking a big payday at the end of the 2025 season. 

In April, he signed a one-year, $3.263m deal, and was expected to join Kyle Hamilton in a major role in the defense. 

He played a bit-part role in his first three seasons with the Ravens – playing in three, three and two games respectively – but was a part of 16 games in 2024.

Ar’Darius Washington was set for a big fifth year in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens

Washington played in 16 games last season and was set for a major role at safety in 2025

Heading into 2025, and after re-signing in Baltimore less than a month ago, it was expected that Washington would once again step up to a larger role in the defense.

The injury is likely to accelerate the development of first-round pick Malaki Starks, selected 27th overall out of Georgia, but leaves the Ravens in a far-from-ideal situation.

Washington played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs, and was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2019.

The Louisiana native is now expected to miss the majority, if not all, of the 2025 season, stunting his development in what was set to be a career-defining year.