DeCosta: Confident Nnamdi Madubuike returns soon

Questionable with this ailment last week, Hendrickson played in Week 2 with a cast. It seems like that will be the plan going forward. Hendrickson got in a full session today. Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) was also not on the injury report and is slated to make his season debut in Week 3.

Flowers is one of multiple injured players who Minter said could play in Week 3. Flowers missed Week 2’s game against the Saints after reaggravating his hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Colts, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity to close out the week. We’ll see how he fares this week when the Ravens release their first injury report, but it sounds like the star receiver is trending in the right direction. In addition to Flowers, Minter also said DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and LB Teddye Buchanan (knee) could also return agains the Cowboys.

Hendrickson managed to upgrade to a limited showing in practice Friday after missing the previous two days, opening the door for him to be active on Sunday. The perennial tradition of the Ravens experiencing significant defensive injuries seems to be making an appearance early this year, with Nnamdi Madubuike and T.J. Tampa already ruled out.

Madubuike sat out in Week 1 after practicing in a limited capacity all week. Prior to his neck injury, he was a pivotal player on the Ravens’ defensive line. It seems as though he is still ramping up after a lengthy recovery.

Despite being a limited participant in practice all week, the Ravens will continue to exercise caution with Madubuike, who is attempting to return from what was once believed to be a career-ending neck injury. The 28-year-old lineman has had an encouraging offseason and training camp and could find himself on the field soon, but the Ravens will give him at least one more week to prepare. We’ll see if he’s able to suit up for Week 2 when the Ravens play host to the Saints.

Madubuike is seemingly on track to debut with his teammates, though his limited practice participation could result in limited snaps on game day. The interior game-wrecker is returning from a serious neck injury. Even playing on a snap count, Madubuike can make his presence felt.

Madubuike joined team drills last week, and is technically on track to play in Week 1 against the Colts. If active, the stud defensive tackle will likely be on a snap count, though the team could opt for a conservative approach and hold him out for this week.

Ravens coach Jesse Minter labeled Madubuike as “day-to-day” heading into Week 1. This does not necessarily mean Madubuike will take the field against the Colts next week, but it is a step in the right direction. Madubuike racked up 10 quarterback pressures, two sacks and three tackles in just two games played last year. Getting him back, even in a limited capacity, is a big deal.

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes that Madubuike “mostly takes part in the team stretch, does some light individual work with a coach or athletic trainer and then heads to another field for conditioning. He hasn’t done anything that involves significant contact, including striking the blocking sled.” It’s certainly possible that Madubuike takes into the regular season to be ready to play football again based on this update, even if it is good news that he’s going through a ramp up. Zrebiec mentions that Madubuike could be a candidate for an IR-return spot.

Madubuike was placed on the active/PUP list to begin camp, but the 28-year-old lineman has been cleared by doctors to return to the field. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens are now taking “time to assess his conditioning and acclimate his return to the field,” with the expectation being that he will be activated from the PUP list sometime this week. Madubuike suffered a neck injury in Week 2 of last season and there was some belief that he may miss all of the 2026 season, if not longer. Madubuike earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 when he racked up 56 tackles, 13 sacks, and 11 TFLs, and has proven to be a premier player at his position when healthy.