The Ravens will have to wait at least one more week to have defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan back on the field. Both were ruled out on Baltimore’s final injury report before their regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Head coach Jesse Minter projected optimism about the progress of both players in recent weeks but made no commitments regarding Week 1. Taking the cautious route is no surprising considering the nature of their injuries.
The Ravens have carefully managed Madubuike’s ramp-up since returning from the neck injury that ended his 2025 season. He only began participating in full-team work last Friday; this week, he was listed as limited in all three practices. The two-time Pro Bowler should make his 2026 debut by Week 4 since he was not placed on injured reserve during roster cuts, but he could be on a limited snap count to start.
“He is really, really close,” Minter said after Friday’s practive. “It has been a great process for him to return from the injury that he had. Feel great about where he is at, but we are not going to play him this week.”
Madubuike himself spoke to the media for the first time since going down in Week 2 last year, expressing his appreciation for the Ravens organization and fans who supported him through his recovery.
“Over the past year, it has been definitely one of the hardest points of my life, but I am very grateful to be where I am at right now,” Madubuike said. He declined to go into the details of his injury, but clarified that he never considered ending his career.
“There are a lot of rumors out there, but I always knew I was going to be back,“ he explained. ”It was just a process of coming back just like any other injury. This was my time in which I had to deal with it. I went through it, and now we are here.”
Minter was not asked about Buchanan’s status, but the second-year linebacker is just shy of nine months removed from the torn ACL he suffered last December. He has also been limited in practice, indicating he still has another step to take before playing in a game.
The Ravens did not list wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) with an injury designation, while Devontez Walker (groin) was listed as questionable. His absence could elevate third-round wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane into a significant role in his much-anticipated NFL debut. Fellow rookie Elijah Sarratt would also be active on game day and could see some snaps.
The Colts’ cleared all of their players for Sunday’s game except for linebacker Austin Ajiake, who did not practice on Friday due to a hamstring injury. That means wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will play, giving quarterback Daniel Jones the same complement of weapons that devastated Jesse Minter’s Chargers defense last year.
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