Ravens Place Pro Bowl DT Nnamdi Madubuike on Injured Reserve

The Baltimore Ravens have placed defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve, raising concerns about the severity of his neck injury. This decision means that Madubuike will miss at least the next four games, adding uncertainty to his potential return. Coach John Harbaugh expressed his worries during a press conference earlier this week, stating he is “concerned” that this could be a long-term issue. However, he was unable to provide additional details regarding Madubuike’s condition.

Madubuike’s absence is particularly impactful for the Ravens, who currently rank last in the NFL in overall defense for the first time since 2021. They also sit at 30th in run defense and 31st against the pass. In their recent 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Ravens allowed 207 rushing yards between the tackles, marking the highest total since ESPN began tracking this statistic in 2006. The team also failed to secure a single sack during that game, a first for the franchise in four years.

Madubuike, who is 27 years old, had been a consistent presence on the field, playing 55 consecutive games before sustaining his injury during a 41-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns on September 14. Although the Ravens are unsure when exactly the injury occurred, Madubuike began experiencing symptoms following the game and subsequently underwent further testing.

The defensive tackle has been a vital player for the Ravens, recording 21.5 sacks since the beginning of the 2023 season, making him the most productive NFL defensive tackle in that timeframe. Madubuike is in the second year of a four-year, $98 million contract, which includes $75.5 million guaranteed.

In addition to Madubuike, the Ravens have also placed defensive end Broderick Washington on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. This double blow means that the Ravens will be without two starting defensive linemen as they prepare for a challenging stretch of games, including contests against the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, and Chicago Bears.

To address the gaps in their lineup, the Ravens have signed defensive end Brent Urban and tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden to the 53-man roster. Additionally, they have elevated defensive tackle C.J. Okoye and nose tackle Josh Tupou from the practice squad.

As the Ravens gear up to face the Chiefs on Sunday, they are aiming to avoid their first 1-3 start in a decade, a situation that has heightened the stakes for the team as they navigate this challenging period.