ExtremeRavens Posted 7 hours ago Posted 7 hours ago How’s Ar’Darius Washington feeling? On Tuesday, he posted a photo to Instagram of a lion, eyes shut, nose to the sky, stretching its neck as if sniffing the fresh air for the first time in months. Washington typed above the jungle cat, “they done woke up the lion.” It’s apt imagery for the Ravens safety who has not played yet this season because of an Achilles tendon tear in May that required surgery. The undrafted Washington blossomed into the defensive darling of the 2024 Ravens. He even earned a spot in Ravens-Steelers lore with a forced fumble at the goal line last December. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said that Washington has a chance to suit up Sunday afternoon in what players deemed a “must-win” game against the Steelers. “I wouldn’t say it’s a probability,” Harbaugh said, “but I would say it’s a possibility.” Either way, it’s an impressive rehab timeline for a player thought to be on the shelf for the season. Washington once told his coach that he’d be back on the field by November, so if he plays this weekend, he’ll have been pretty darn close to that target date. Washington’s first practice of the year, which he was listed as limited for, coincided with perfect attendance Wednesday. That includes Lamar Jackson, who participated in the first practice of the week for the first time in a month, though he was limited. Nate Wiggins practiced, too. Baltimore’s top cornerback missed the entire second half against Cincinnati with a foot injury, was spotted in a TikTok wearing a boot revealing his pain level was a seven out of 10, and moved smoothly through positional drills by midweek. One other notable returnee was outside linebacker Tavius Robinson. The third-year pass rusher broke his foot in Week 6 during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Robinson was a limited practice participant Wednesday but won’t be available against the Steelers, though his return is imminent. Wide receivers Rashod Bateman (ankle) and Devontez Walker (groin) were each named on the team’s injury report, but both were full go. For Washington, having the chance to make an impact eyeing down a crucial stretch of their season is a credit to what teammates say was a steady approach to rehabilitation. Rookie Malaki Starks, the depth safety Baltimore originally drafted to play behind Washington, saw the same smile every day from a guy secure in his position and confident in his direction. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey called it a “testament to hard work. He got back really quick.” Washington’s absence forced the Ravens to further fill out their defensive backfield. They drafted Starks in the first round before Washington’s injury, but quickly thrust the rookie into a starter’s workload. Before Starks turned a corner to the success he’s had of late, the Ravens traded for Chargers safety Alohi Gilman. “I told AD when I first got here that I respected his game,” Gilman said. “I used to watch a lot of Ravens tape when I was with the Chargers. Saw [Washington] out there rolling around, flying. Not the biggest dude but willing to go down there and put his face in the fan.” In turn, Washington told Gilman about his own NFL journey. The 5-foot-8 safety battled injuries early in his career and toiled around near the end of the bench before stabilizing last year’s secondary. “He’s a true definition of a vet,” Starks said. “He jumps out on tape when you watch him. Just for me, being able to learn from him and grow my relationship with him has been awesome.” Starks sought guidance from the weathered, elder statesman in the safety room. Those two spoke just a few days ago about catching up to the speed of the NFL level and what Starks called “realizing spots.” The conversation was a lesson in diagramming how players move at certain spots around the field. In some respects, Washington has been a sounding board for Starks, who has a pair of interceptions this season. Washington’s return to the practice field brought “explosiveness” and “a different type of energy,” according to Starks. It will inevitably raise depth chart questions. Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington, left, breaks up a pass intended for the Browns’ Jordan Akins. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Will Washington contend for snaps over Gilman or Starks? All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton is playing closer to the line of scrimmage, but perhaps Washington moves into a more regular nickel cornerback role? Surely, he’d be called upon if there were an injury. During a defensive team meeting Wednesday afternoon, defensive coordinator Zach Orr showed a string of clips from past Ravens-Steelers matchups. Humphrey said that it got him fired up. The hatred, Humphrey said, is the “closest thing” to a college or high school rivalry. Orr filled the big screen with hard hits and game-defining plays that chronicle their lengthy history. Surely Washington blowing up then-Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson inside the 5-yard line made the cut. One year and major knee surgery later, the undersized lion is awake, back on the field and eager to help point these Ravens toward a playoff push. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.