Nnamdi

Madubuike

Madubuike was placed on injured reserve last week, but now the sixth-year tackle has been ruled out for the season due to a neck injury he suffered in Week 2. Madubuike’s absence for the remainder of the season strikes a serious blow to a Ravens defense that has been gouged through the first four weeks of the season. He totaled seven tackles, two sacks, and two TFLs in limited action this season, and will hopefully make a full recovery in time for training camp in 2026.

Madubuike had already been ruled out for Week 4 and now will miss the next four games, at minimum, for the Ravens as he tends to a neck injury. It’s a sizable loss on the defensive interior for a Ravens team struggling against the run to start the 2025 season.

Team reporter Jeff Zrebiec believes “Likely has a very good chance of making his season debut Sunday” after practicing in full on Friday. In June, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he wants to see Likely be “an All-Pro” this season. The team has handled Likely’s recovery smartly, so they are unlikely to throw caution to the wind. He can only be started as a boom-bust TE2 against the Chiefs. He should be rostered everywhere. Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) and NT Travis Jones (knee) are all questionable. Ravens FB Patrick Ricard (calf), DT Broderick Washington (ankle) and DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) have been ruled out. Madubuike leads the team with 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks despite sitting out in Week 3. Madubuike, Washington and Jones anchor Baltimore’s 3-4 defense. Patrick Mahomes should be very comfortable in the pocket this week.

Madubuike did not practice at any point last week and looks like a potential injured reserve candidate. John Harbaugh told reporters that he was “concerned” about it but that he’s “not really in a position to comment on it.” That sounds ominous. It’s good news for Kansas City’s running game, which you should probably avoid anyway. (Maybe you can justify a Kareem Hunt FLEX this week?) Travis Jones (knee) did return to practice, but Baltimore’s run defense has been weak this year and doesn’t seem to be getting much healthier.

The sidelined interior defenders include DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), DT Broderick Washington and NT Travis Jones. Injury statuses for the latter two players are currently unknown. Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) also remains sidelined. Madubuike still leads the team with 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks despite sitting out in Week 3. The Ravens need the players to get healthy quickly. They face the Chiefs in Week 4.

Wiggins’ return is a step in the right direction. The talented cornerback was injured after his teammate, CB Chidobe Awuzie, jumped on his back for a post-interception celebration. Unfortunately for the Ravens, DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) remains sidelined through two Week 3 practices.

Wiggins returned an interception for 61 yards in Week 2 against the Browns, prompting an exuberant response from teammate, CB Chidobe Awuzie, who “jumped on Wiggins’ back and accidentally took him to the ground.” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley said, “Wiggins did not appear to be full strength the rest of the game,” and began exhibiting a limp in-game after that. Ravens OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) could miss multiple games and DT Nnamdi Madubuike (ankle) is also hurt. Neither player practiced on Thursday. Madubuike leads the team with 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks. They face the Lions on Monday night.

Madubuike’s new deal includes a whopping $75.5 million in guaranteed money. The recently franchise-tagged lineman is now locked in with the Ravens through the 2027 season after enjoying a breakout campaign in 2023. The former third-round pick totaled career-highs in tackles (56), sacks (13.0), and TFLs (12) last season while being named Second-Team All-Pro and voted to his first Pro Bowl. A true disruptor along the interior, Madubuike, 26, should have plenty of prime years left in the tank on under this new deal.

Madubuike enjoyed a breakout season with the Ravens in 2023, leading the team with a career-high 13 sacks while also notching 12 TFLs. The former third-round pick has shown steady improvement in each of his first three seasons with the team and finally put it all together in a contract year. According to Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, the Ravens and Madubuike plan to continue negotiations toward a long-term deal. If they are unable to agree on an extension for this season, Madubuike would earn $22.1 million on the tag for 2024.

Nose tackle Brandon Williams, OLB Justin Houston and OLB Jaylon Ferguson will also go on the team’s COVID list after Ferguson tested positive Friday morning (and the others were considered close contacts). With two starters in that group officially sidelined for Sunday, D’Andre Swift (groin, questionable), T.J. Hockenson, and the rest of Detroit’s receiving game can be started with the utmost confidence. Baltimore’s defense most recently allowed 8.5 yards per play to Kansas City at full strength.