The Baltimore Ravens were without star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike in their Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. It was an embarrassing performance, especially from a defensive standpoint.
They allowed 426 total yards (202 passing and 224 rushing) en route to giving up 38 points. The absence of Madubuike was evident, as the defensive front struggled to pressure Detroit quarterback Jared Goff and failed to clog the rushing lanes created for dynamic running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
The hope was for Madubuike to return to football activities ahead of the team’s upcoming Week 4 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. That will not be the case, as his neck injury will keep him out for yet another contest.
The loss of Madubuike for such a pivotal matchup was already concerning, but Head Coach John Harbaugh’s update on the two-time Pro Bowler’s health was all the more worrisome. In his press conference on Wednesday, he could not go into the details of what Madubuike is going through, but it could keep him out long-term.
“I would say I am concerned about [Madubuike’s injury], but I’m not in a position to comment on it right now,” Harbaugh said. “I haven’t been given the okay to comment on it at this point. So he’s not going to play this week, and we are going to have to see going forward when [the medical team] knows what they need to know.”
Nnamdi Madubuike to miss Week 4 game vs. Chiefs
The Ravens failed to tally a sack for the first time in 57 games in Week 3. They also could not win on the interior against a young Lions offensive guard duo still trying to find their footing in the league. They made the opposing interior line look like seasoned veterans, and it will not get any easier against the Chiefs.
While the Chiefs tackle duo of Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor has struggled, they have two dominant Pro Bowlers in the middle. Right guard Trey Smith made his first Pro Bowl in 2024, and center Creed Humphrey saw his third consecutive nod, earning the First-Team All-Pro honors in the process.
Along with Madubuike, the Ravens' defensive line could be in danger of playing without Travis Jones and Broderick Washington Jr. Jones missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury that hampered him in Baltimore’s Monday night game against Detroit, and Washington popped up on the injury report with an ankle injury. The team brought in defensive tackle Taven Bryan and nose tackle Josh Tupou as a result.
Wednesday’s designations are an estimate, as we held a walk-through type of practice. pic.twitter.com/x0yFwdla11
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 24, 2025
The Ravens could be missing another chunk of their front-seven on Sunday, but all attention is on Madubuike. Neck injuries are no joke. There is no reason to overreact for now, but an injury of such nature could put his 2025 season in serious jeopardy.