OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Still picking up the pieces from their fourth-quarter collapse in Buffalo, the Ravens returned to the practice field without their two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle on Wednesday.
Nnamdi Madubuike is nursing an ankle injury, but head coach John Harbaugh said the standout defensive lineman should return to practice Thursday, which should ease any concern about his status for the home opener against Cleveland. One of the few defensive bright spots in the 41-40 loss to the Bills, Madubuike registered Baltimore’s only sack of Josh Allen and was credited with five pressures by Pro Football Focus.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice after struggling mightily in his Ravens debut. Harbaugh acknowledged Alexander missing the final three weeks of summer practice liked played a part in his disappointing showing against the Bills. Buffalo went right after the two-time Pro Bowl defensive back in coverage on the final drive that resulted in the game-winning field goal as time expired.
“I think that’s fair to look at that. It’s a practice sport. Practice is important, especially at that position just being exactly right,” Harbaugh said. “He and I have had that conversation. I recognize it, and the main thing right now is just to get him right. He’s healthy enough, but we have to get him right so he can go out there and play like Jaire Alexander, which I fully expect him to do. We’ll just give him an opportunity to do that.”
While tight end Isaiah Likely again worked out on a side field as he moves closer to a return from late July foot surgery, fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) remained absent from practice on Wednesday. Week 1 marked the first missed game since 2021 for the five-time Pro Bowl selection, who was replaced by practice-squad tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden.
Ricard hasn’t practiced since mid-August.
“Patrick is doing well,” Harbaugh said Monday. “He should be out there practicing a little bit this week potentially, and we’ll see how it goes. I thought Zaire did a really good job. I thought he was really good. He was explosive and physical. He really brought it up in there and unloaded on some blocks and did a nice job.”
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Meanwhile, the Browns had everyone on their active roster taking part in practice beyond rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who is awaiting word on whether he’ll be disciplined by the NFL for a July domestic battery arrest. Charges were dropped last month.
Three Cleveland starters were limited practice participants for injury-related reasons.
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Isaiah Likely (foot), Nnamdi Madubuike (ankle), FB Patrick Ricard (calf)
LIMITED PARTICPATION: CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
CLEVELAND
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: RB Quinshon Judkins (non-injury)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: G Joel Bitonio (non-injury), OT Jack Conklin (eye/elbow), DT Michael Hall (knee), OT Dawand Jones (knee), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder/Achilles)
