Set to play the third international game in franchise history, the Ravens will welcome back one of their most important players while being without at least one other one for Sunday’s tilt with Dallas in Brazil.
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike practiced fully all week and is expected to play for the first time since suffering a career-threatening neck injury just over a year ago. Madubuike was not given a game status designation on the final injury report, meaning he’s expected to play after sitting out the first two games of the 2026 season as well as the final 15 contests last year.
“I’m working hard every day to continue to keep getting better. We’ll see,” said Madubuike about his Week 3 status after Thursday’s practice. “I’m in a good place. The coaches believe so too. We’re taking it one day at a time, but I feel great.”
The news wasn’t as positive for left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who was officially ruled out with the lingering toe injury that forced an early exit in last Sunday’s loss to New Orleans. Despite an extensive injury history, the 32-year-old Stanley will be missing just his second full game since the start of the 2024 season. Second-year offensive tackle Carson Vinson is expected to start in Stanley’s place after replacing him late in the third quarter of the 24-17 upset defeat to the Saints.
It remains to be seen whether star wide receiver Zay Flowers will avoid missing a second straight game with a hamstring injury that’s hampered him since late August. Flowers was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report, but the only practice time he managed to log all week was limited participation in Friday’s walk-through in Rio de Janeiro. For what it’s worth, Flowers was listed as limited in last Friday’s practice — and didn’t appear to do much at all — before sitting out the Week 2 contest. The much-discussed concerns about the field conditions at Maracanã Stadium may also discourage Baltimore from trying to rush Flowers back into live-game action and risking a more substantial setback.
In addition to Madubuike, second-year inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan is set to make his season debut as he completes his return from a torn ACL sustained last December. However, with Trenton Simpson playing so well next to Roquan Smith to open the season, Buchanan may not have much of a role beyond playing special teams for the time being.
“It’s a beautiful problem to have when you have the backers that we do,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “But Trenton Simpson, you guys have seen it. He’s playing the game in a violent manner. The way he’s playing right now pops off the film. We’ll look for ways to try to incorporate all three, I’m sure, at some point. We’ll just see how Teddye shows up this week.”
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On Thursday, the Cowboys ruled out four key defensive players who didn’t make the trip to Brazil. That’s certainly not encouraging for a Dallas defense that isn’t highly regarded even at full strength.
Below is the final injury report for Week 3:
BALTIMORE
OUT: OT Ronnie Stanley (toe)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Zay Flowers (hamstring)
DALLAS
OUT: CB Cobie Durant (hamstring), S Malik Hooker (forearm), S P.J. Locke (foot), LB DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring)
