For a defense that’s already seemed like its on its heels just 3 games into the regular season, the Baltimore Ravens just found out things can somehow get even worse.
NFL All-Pro defensive tackle and 2-time Pro Bowler Nnamdi Madubuike was put on injured reserve on September 27 with a neck injury — just one day ahead of a massive AFC showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.
It means Madubuike will miss at least the next 4 games and won’t be able to come back until at least Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins.
The Ravens and Chiefs are both in an unusual place headed into the Week 4 game, with both AFC powers sitting at 1-2.
“We have placed Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington on injured reserve,” the Ravens wrote on their official X account. “We have signed DE Brent Urban and TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden to the 53-man roster. We have also elevated DT C.J. Okoye and NT Josh Tupou from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game.”
Madubuike, 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, is also one of the NFL’s highest paid players at his position after he signed a 4-year, $98 million contract extension in March 2024.
“The Ravens placed DT Nnamdi Madubuike on IR,” NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo wrote on his official X account on September 27. “He’ll miss at least four games. A huge loss for Baltimore’s defense.”
Madubuike One of NFL’s Elite Defensive Talents
Not having Madubuike robs the Ravens of having one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents at every level — linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton are also NFL All-Pros.
Madubuike also missed last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions.
“It has been a huge loss for a struggling Ravens defense that ranks last in the NFL for the first time since Week 16 of 2021,” ESPN’s Jamison Hensley wrote on September 24, before Madubuike was placed on IR. The 27-year-old Madubuike, the Ravens‘ best defensive lineman who has made the Pro Bowl the past two seasons, has 21.5 sacks since the start of the 2023 season — the most by any defensive tackle in the league. Without Madubuike, the Ravens allowed 207 yards rushing between the tackles — the most they’ve allowed in a game since ESPN began tracking the stat in 2006 — in Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Baltimore also didn’t record a sack in a game for the first time in four years.”
From Third Round Pick to Defensive Centerpiece
The Ravens drafted Madubuike in the third round (No. 74 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft after he earned All-SEC honors at Texas A&M in 2019.
His rookie year was the only time he’s dealt with injury issues when he missed 6 games due to a knee injury and the pandemic.
Madubuike became a full time starter in his second season in 2021 and has played in every game each of the last 3 seasons, including a breakout season in 2023 with career highs in tackles (56), sacks (13.0), TFL (12) and a whopping 33 QB hits.
“I’m concerned about Nnamdi Madubuike‘s neck injury,” Mills RX wrote on its official X account on September 20. “It sounds more serious than initially thought. I think Nnamdi has sprained (or possibly tore) one of the ligaments in the cervical vertebrae. He’s still undergoing evaluation and imaging now. If a ligament is even partially torn, Madubuike will miss an extended period of time.”
Baltimore Ravens Give Shocking Injury Update on $98 Million All-Pro