The Baltimore Ravens officially ruled two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike out for their Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions on Monday night. He has been dealing with a neck injury that caused him to miss practice the entire week leading up to the game.
Baltimore will undoubtedly miss his contributions. He has been one of the team’s best players, tallying two sacks and 10 pressures through two weeks, and has been a stout run defender. Outside of Madubuike, the only player in Baltimore to notch a sack is outside linebacker Tavius Robinson. They will need Travis Jones, Aeneas Peebles, and Broderick Washington Jr. to step it up along the interior on Monday Night Football.
However, the injury could have a long-term effect. Madubuike’s appearance on the injury report throughout the week came as a shock, and after Head Coach John Harbaugh’s press conference on Saturday, the situation has become even more vague. Harbaugh would not dig into the details of the injury, but his comments about Madubuike’s health bring concerns about his status in the coming weeks.
“[Madubuike] came up with some symptoms after the [Browns] game. Nothing specific in the game where we saw something happen, but they’re dealing with symptoms and testing right now,” Harbaugh said. “He will be ruled out for [the Lions] game, and they’re going to try and get to the bottom of it.”
John Harbaugh’s response regarding Nnamdi Madubuike’s health raises question marks
Obviously, any time a neck injury is brought up, you have to proceed with caution. It could just be fatigue, but it could be much worse, which is why Harbaugh and Baltimore’s medical staff are being extremely cautious with Madubuike.
For now, the Ravens will rely on a younger group of Jones, Peebles, and Washington, but could add some veteran experience from the practice squad. Defensive lineman Brent Urban is entering his 11th NFL season and should make his season debut in place of Madubuike on Monday night.
Urban signed on with Baltimore late in the offseason, and after getting cut after the preseason, he quickly signed back with the team’s practice squad. Three weeks into the 2025 campaign, he will get his opportunity. The 34-year-old has long been a strong rotational option for the Ravens, effortlessly stopping the run with his 6-foot-7 frame.
In pass-rushing situations, though, Peebles becomes the prime candidate for snaps. You cannot replace a player of Madubuike’s status with just one player, but in terms of production, the sixth-round rookie will need to step up. He has shown capable, but will be in line for starting snaps now.
With a bout against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, Baltimore needs Madubuike back soon. However, with a neck injury, the most important thing is that he is 100% healthy. If that does not return soon, though, they could be in big trouble in the upcoming stretch.