OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Needing to regroup from a humbling defeat to Detroit in which they allowed 224 rushing yards and collected zero sacks, the Ravens will again be without star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike at Kansas City on Sunday.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection hasn’t played or practiced since suffering a neck injury in the Sept. 14 win over Cleveland, but concern extends beyond Madubuike’s short-term availability. Head coach John Harbaugh said last Saturday that various tests were being run and it wasn’t clear exactly when Madubuike sustained the injury against the Browns, but the organization hasn’t provided further details about his condition or long-term outlook.
Madubuike was on Baltimore’s sideline watching Monday’s game and remains on the 53-man roster.
“I would say I am concerned about it, but I’m not really in a position to comment on it right now,” Harbaugh said after Wednesday’s practice. “I haven’t been given the OK to comment on it at this point. He’s not going to play this week — I can tell you that. We’re going to have to see going forward when [the medical staff] know what they need to know.”
Madubuike wasn’t the only defensive line absence during Wednesday’s practice as defensive tackles Travis Jones (knee) and Broderick Washington (ankle) failed to participate. Jones limped off the field after Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ touchdown to open the fourth quarter of Monday’s loss, and his only snap after that came immediately after running back Derrick Henry’s fumble midway through that final period. Jones was clearly favoring his right leg on that play before hobbling to the sideline.
With the Ravens shorthanded and struggling in that position group, general manager Eric DeCosta signed veteran defensive tackles Taven Bryan and Josh Tupou to the practice squad Wednesday. Harbaugh indicated Jones and Washington weren’t dealing with anything serious, but Baltimore is preparing for the defending AFC champion Chiefs on a short week after a Monday night game.
“Anything’s possible. I’m not [concerned] per se, but they’re nursing some things,” Harbaugh said. “We’re only less than 48 hours out from the end of [Monday’s] game. I have a good feeling about those guys, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
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Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) also sat out Wednesday’s practice. Van Noy appears likely to miss a second straight game, and Ricard has yet to play this season.
To no surprise, Madubuike remains on teammates’ minds as the Baltimore defense tries to regroup from a miserable start to 2025 that includes ranking at or near the NFL bottom in points allowed (31st), total yards allowed (32nd), and both rushing yards (30th) and passing yards (31st) allowed.
“Just keep on going. Obviously, he’s a good player,” outside linebacker Odafe Oweh said. “We’re going to need him, but you can’t have that message to the guys that are working their tails off and trying to dominate. You have to keep on putting confidence into them knowing that it’s a ‘next man up’ mentality. We’d be doing him a disservice if we were out here not playing hard trying to get to the [quarterback] or trying to get more [tackles for a loss] — all the things that he does.”
Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot surgery) was again a limited participant like he’s been since returning to practice on Sept. 12. After such a lengthy absence, one would assume Likely will need to log at least a full practice or two before being deemed ready to make his 2025 season debut.
In contrast to the Ravens being without six notable players on Wednesday, the Chiefs had their entire 53-man roster on the practice field with only starting defensive end Mike Danna (quad) and reserve cornerback Kristian Fulton (ankle) being limited participants. Starting wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) was a full participant, an indication that he’s on track to play for the first time since Kansas City’s season opener.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DT Travis Jones (knee), DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle), DT Broderick Washington (ankle), OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Isaiah Likely (foot)
KANSAS CITY
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: DE Mike Danna (quad), CB Kristian Fulton (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION: LB Nick Bolton (rib), WR Marquise Brown (ankle), S Bryan Cook (neck), C Creed Humphrey (rib), DL Ashton Gillotte (elbow), QB Patrick Mahomes (r. wrist), DE Charles Omenihu (chest), WR Jalen Royals (knee), OT Jawaan Taylor (knee/ankle), LB Drue Tranquill (knee), WR Xavier Worthy (shoulder)
