The Washington Commanders’ defense has already been stretched thin this season. On Sunday, the group suffered another crushing blow when veteran safety Will Harris fractured his fibula in a 41–24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The injury, described by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport as “very serious,” will sideline Harris for the rest of 2025.
Yahoo Sports later confirmed the diagnosis, calling it a season-ender, while CBS Sports detailed how the injury forces Washington to scramble for options.
From Detroit to New Orleans to Washington
Harris began his career with the Detroit Lions, playing five seasons and logging 43 starts across multiple positions in the secondary. He wasn’t always consistent, but his ability to line up at both safety spots and in the slot made him a useful piece in sub-packages.
After leaving Detroit, Harris landed with the New Orleans Saints in 2024. There, he appeared in 13 games and posted 74 tackles, proving he could still hold down meaningful snaps at the NFL level. That performance helped him secure a new opportunity in Washington, where Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. valued his versatility in a system designed around disguising coverages and rotating safeties.
Through three games with Washington, Harris had tallied 11 tackles and a forced fumble. The numbers weren’t flashy, but he provided steadiness on the back end. His loss is more about what he allowed the scheme to do — freeing others to specialize in narrower roles — than about box score production.
What Washington Must Do Now
Without Harris, the Commanders must turn to Percy Butler as the next man up at strong safety. Butler has shown promise in flashes but hasn’t yet carried a full-time workload. Alongside him, Quan Martin, who also appeared on the injury report, will continue to start at free safety, while Jeremy Reaves, an All-Pro special teamer, may be forced into expanded defensive snaps. Rookie Tyler Owens is also on the depth chart, but he remains untested at this level.
That quartet forms the safety rotation for the foreseeable future, and it comes with risk. Butler’s range is an asset, but his tackling angles have been inconsistent. Reaves has heart and leadership, but extended defensive snaps expose him in coverage. Martin is still developing, and Owens is raw. Together, they’ll need to grow quickly in an NFC East that boasts dynamic passing attacks.
The Commanders will likely look outside the building for help, though signing a veteran safety in late September comes with challenges. Learning Quinn’s system on the fly is no easy task, and every miscommunication against NFC East rivals risks becoming a touchdown.
A Season Already Defined by Attrition
Harris’ fractured fibula is another reminder of how quickly injuries can shape an NFL season. For a Washington defense already losing key contributors, his absence removes the very versatility Quinn hoped to lean on in 2025. The Commanders will now rely on Butler, Reaves, Martin, and Owens to cover more ground than expected, a trial by fire for a group light on starting experience.
How they respond will reveal a great deal about Washington’s resilience. If the secondary can hold its own, Quinn’s defense may still find its footing. If not, Harris’ injury could mark the turning point that defines this season.
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