Safety CJ Christian Lost to UW With Achilles Tear

Huskies also dealing with injuries to RB Jordan Washington and OL Geirean Hatchett

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a Husky football player making a defensive play, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted earth tones.Injuries to key defensive and offensive players will force the Huskies to adapt their strategies as they prepare for the upcoming season.Long Beach Today

The University of Washington football team is dealing with several key injuries this spring, including a season-ending Achilles tear for senior safety CJ Christian, an uncertain status for sophomore running back Jordan Washington after a neck injury, and an injury to seventh-year senior offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett.

Why it matters

These injuries to important players on both sides of the ball will force the Huskies to adjust their depth chart and game plans as they prepare for the upcoming season. The team's ability to overcome these setbacks will be crucial to their success.

The details

CJ Christian, a sixth-year senior safety, suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during practice at the Seahawks' VMAC complex. The injury will sideline him for the entire 2026 season. Sophomore running back Jordan Washington remains out indefinitely after suffering a neck injury two weeks ago, while seventh-year senior offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett is also dealing with an injury and will miss spring practice.

  • CJ Christian's Achilles injury occurred during practice on Tuesday.
  • Jordan Washington suffered his neck injury two Saturdays earlier.
  • Geirean Hatchett was injured near the end of the Huskies' second spring practice.

The players

CJ Christian

A sixth-year senior safety who transferred to Washington from Florida International, where he was a 20-game starter. He had just been medically cleared to rejoin the Huskies from a turf toe injury when he suffered the season-ending Achilles tear.

Jordan Washington

A sophomore running back who was the Huskies' No. 1 back at the time of his neck injury, which occurred while he was trying to interrupt an interception return during spring practice.

Geirean Hatchett

A seventh-year senior offensive lineman who started all 13 games at right guard last season, but was handling center duties when he was injured near the end of the Huskies' second spring practice.

Jedd Fisch

The head coach of the University of Washington football team.

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What they’re saying

“He had the traditional Achilles tear and you just don't know what happens. You just feel something in the back of your heel.”

— Jedd Fisch, Head Coach, University of Washington

“Whatever we can do to help CJ, we certainly hope he'll stay with the program.”

— Jedd Fisch, Head Coach, University of Washington

“The first thing we have to do is get him out of his neck brace. Once we get to that phase, we'll go on from there and re-evaluate. The doctors will lead us through that. We're currently in a wait and see.”

— Jedd Fisch, Head Coach, University of Washington

What’s next

The Huskies will continue to monitor the recovery progress of CJ Christian, Jordan Washington, and Geirean Hatchett as they prepare for the upcoming season. Christian's status for a potential seventh season of eligibility remains uncertain.

The takeaway

These key injuries to starters on both offense and defense will force the Huskies to adjust their depth chart and game plans as they head into the 2026 season. The team's ability to overcome these setbacks and develop new contributors will be crucial to their success.