The Baltimore Ravens have announced defensive back Ar’Darius Washington has been designated to return to practice on Wednesday. Washington, 24, is returning from a chest injury that put him on injured reserve after Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Washington had been the starting nickel cornerback to begin the 2023 season, playing 73% of defensive snaps against the Houston Texans in Week 1 and 95% of snaps against the Bengals in Week 2. In those two games, Washington combined for 11 tackles, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits and a sack.
Washington being designated to return starts a 21-day window of him practicing, which by then they’ll need to either activate him to the 53-man roster or keep him on injured reserve for the rest of the 2023 season.
The added depth of Washington would be beneficial for the Ravens secondary as they’re currently banged up. Fortunately, an extra week of rest and getting some starters out for Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely see the starters, namely Kyle Hamilton, return. But an extra starting caliber nickel corner could prove valuable in the post-season, even with that being Hamilton’s primary role on the field this season.