OWINGS MILLS, Md. — There was no dramatic entrance as Nnamdi Madubuike jogged onto the practice field for the first time in more than 10 months for the Ravens.
He practically snuck behind star running back Derrick Henry slapping hands with young fans lined up just outside the team’s training facility. But make no mistake, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle being cleared to practice after last year’s career-threatening neck injury was easily the biggest story of the day as Baltimore conducted its first full-squad practice of training camp on Wednesday.
There’s no overlooking someone so sorely missed throughout the 2025 season. It’s not a coincidence that the Ravens finished tied for 28th in sacks (30) after ranking in the NFL’s top five in that category in each of the previous three campaigns with a healthy Madubuike anchoring the defensive line.
“He’s one of the most talented people at his position in the league,” All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said. “I don’t think it takes a genius to realize that we’ll get better when he is on the field. It allowed for a lot of younger guys to step up [in his absence last year] and get some much-needed reps going into this year, but we are all hopeful to get him back as soon as possible.”
Despite officially coming off the active physically unable to perform list, Madubuike began working on a side field as soon as the Ravens concluded their full-team stretch, and he didn’t do any other team work during the 90-minute practice. But that was all part of the plan as the 28-year-old suited up for the first time since injuring his neck in the Week 2 win over Cleveland last September.
After months of uncertainty about Madubuike’s future, head coach Jesse Minter confirmed the Ravens will ramp up his on-field work slowly. The obvious goal is to have the 6-foot-3, 305-pound interior rusher ready for the Sept. 13 opener in Indianapolis after he underwent neck surgery in April.
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Wednesday was an important first step for someone who collected 27 sacks over his last 53 games dating back to 2022.
“It’s still a process to get ready to play football, and that’s something we’re going to work through over these next couple of weeks,” Minter said. “I think everybody has a good feeling about where he’s at and where it’s headed. But again, [with] those things, there’s a timeline involved, and that could go wherever.
“It’s super exciting to see that dude out there with his jersey on and his helmet. He looks great. He’s been working really hard, and I think there are positive things to come with him.”
Pocic’s practice debut
Having officially signed last week, veteran center Ethan Pocic was never going to be running with the starting offense on the first day as he’s coming back from a season-ending injury of his own.
Though cleared to return to the field from a torn Achilles tendon suffered with Cleveland last December, Pocic has a new offense to learn and will turn 31 early next month. In other words, the Ravens are going to take their time with him while continuing to evaluate other center options such as Danny Pinter and Jovaughn Gwyn
“It’s competition at a place where you have some good players, but you might not have as established players as some other positions,” said Minter about the addition of Pocic. “You’re bringing in a guy that’s got some ‘skins on the wall’ [and] has played a lot of football. … It’s our job and his job and our performance team’s job to help acclimate him back into football coming off the injury that he’s coming off of. He’s another guy we’ll be working closely with as far as the amount that he’s doing over these first couple weeks.
8“But I expect him to jump in there and compete for that position, and we’ll see the best man win.”
Pocic did take some reps during 11-on-11 periods and is wearing No. 77. That as well as his 6-foot-6 height that’s unusual for a center reminded a veteran writer or two of former Ravens center Matt Birk.
Campbell headlines practice absences
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell was the only unexpected absence from Wednesday’s practice as the six others were players already placed on the physically unable to perform or non-football illness list.
However, it’s certainly understandable after what the six-time Pro Bowl selection and his family have endured in losing his mother to such awful circumstances several weeks ago.
“From a preparation standpoint, that took up a lot of his time and his mental focus and energy,” Minter said. “Again, we’re here for Calais to get ready at the rate that he can get ready at. With this guy, it’s different than a 25-year-old that’s played maybe only a year or two. This guy has so many banked reps of experience of getting himself ready in camp. We’re going to work together with Calais to have a great plan to have him ready for September, December, January, February. That’ll be a focus for us over the first couple of weeks of camp.”
Campbell will turn 40 only days before the season opener.
Other players not practicing Wednesday included defensive tackles Travis Jones and John Jenkins, inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee), cornerback Bilhal Kone (knee), and outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, who are all on the active PUP list. Offensive lineman Corey Bullock is on the non-football illness list.
