On Sunday’s first series of Washington’s Week 11 game vs. the New York Giants, veteran defensive end Efe Obada went down with a leg injury. Players immediately knew it was, and the entire team surrounded Obada.
It was later revealed that Obada suffered a fractured leg. Head coach Ron Rivera offered an update Monday, saying Obada underwent surgery on Sunday night and was being placed on season-ending injured reserve.
According to Ben Standig of The Athletic, Obada suffered multiple lower leg fractures. Obada is not only excellent in his role, he’s one of the most beloved players on Washington’s roster.
Commanders DE Efe Obada underwent surgery Sunday night to address multiple lower leg fractures suffered in Washington’s loss to NYG, sources tell @TheAthleticNFL.
Obaba, a 2024 free agent, was carted off the field in the 1Q. Brutal for a very nice human.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 20, 2023
As everyone knows, the Commanders must replace Obada’s spot on the roster. Washington was once deep at defensive end, but after the trades of Chase Young and Montez Sweat and the injuries suffered by Obada and James Smith-Williams, it was essentially Casey Toohill and a pair of rookies, Andre Jones Jr. and K.J. Henry.
Henry had an excellent game on Sunday against the Giants.
On Monday, after placing Obada on IR, the Commanders signed pass rusher Jalen Harris off the Chicago Bears practice squad.
We have signed DE Jalen Harris from Chicago’s practice squad and placed DL Efe Obada on the Reserve/Injured List
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 20, 2023
Who is Harris?
An undrafted rookie from Arizona, the 6-foot-4, 257-pound Harris had five tackles and 1.5 sacks in the preseason for the Bears. Harris played 56 games for Arizona with 25 career starts. He finished his college career with 173 tackles, including 25.5 for loss and 13.5 sacks.
The Commanders also waived safety Troy Apke from IR.