Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told the media on Friday that Harris was thinking about when he could return to the Commanders shortly after the injury. The Commanders felt that Harris was better in pass coverage, so they were determined to sign Harris in the offseason. Of course, they didn’t plan for him to fracture his fibula.
“The first thing I thought about was the background with Will, I think some know it, but not everyone knows it. From the coverage side, like when he came into the league as a cornerback who could play inside and play nickel, and then move to safety. I love Will’s urgency. You know, the importance of it, the details.”
Harris has been sorely missed as the back end of the Commanders’ secondary hasn’t really met acceptable standards in pass coverage in recent weeks.
“He loves football, and we’re talking about the night he got hurt, like he didn’t even have surgery yet. I’ll be back within this time. You know, like he was already saying that that night. It’s like, get surgery this week, okay? (Laughs) But that gives you a window into him, you know, into who he is and what, like, he’s eager to get back, you know, with the team.”
Harris returned to the sidelines last week, some running, some mobility, working hard to get back as soon as he can. “He’s here rehabbing now, he’s hitting the marks he’s supposed to, but it’s the coverage, it’s the urgency he plays with. I felt that way the whole time he was here. There’s an urgency to be a part of this. So, we definitely miss him. We’re looking forward to getting him back. So as we get closer to it, I like the progress he’s making, but those are just some of the things he brings.”
Harris will turn 30 in December, so he’s had the opportunity to learn a lot about the NFL since being selected by the Lions out of Boston College in the 2019 NFL draft (81st overall). With the Lions from 2019-23, Harris moved to New Orleans and played with the Saints in 2024. He signed a two-year deal with Washington in March.
Commanders have missed Harris and his return could be a boost for a struggling unit.