Ravens All-Pro defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike feels closer to a return to game action every day.
Will that day be Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro? That may be the final mystery in Madubuike's year-long odyssey back to football since suffering a season-ending neck injury last year.
Madubuike is a full practice participant this week for the first time since the injury. He's said he's working with the other starters on the Ravens' defense, getting his timing down with Trey Hendrickson, Tavius Robinson and the other pieces of Baltimore's front seven. Madubuike said he "felt way faster" Thursday than he did even on Wednesday.
But when asked whether he'll make his much-anticipated debut against the Cowboys, Madubuike didn't give a definitive answer.
"I'm working out every day to continue to keep getting better. So, you know, we'll see," Madubuike said. "But I'm in a good place and coaches feel so too, so just taking just one day at a time. But I feel great."
Madubuike and the Ravens have taken his return slowly. He was on the field on the first day of training camp but only went through team stretches. He didn't return to team drills until Sept. 3. While practicing in full is the next step, it's not full-game contact. But Madubuike isn't shying away from it.
"Football, it's been a contact sport since the beginning of time, so I know that's what comes with it," Madubuike said. "Over time, obviously earlier in OTAs and all that stuff, I was still getting better, healing up. But as time has progressed, I've gotten better and better every day like I've been telling y'all. And the contact is just — it's what I do. I'm in the trenches. So the contact has been great. I love it."
The Ravens would love to get their interior disruptor back against a potent Cowboys offense. Madubuike led all NFL defensive linemen with 13 sacks in 2023. Ravens Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver called him a "force multiplier" and said he could tell Madubuike was "feeling free" at practice on Wednesday.
"I could see him playing with some comfort," Weaver said. "I gave him the old Jerry Maguire line. I go, 'You complete me! You make me whole!' So, I am just excited to see him play. I know all his teammates are excited for him to go out there and play just because they have seen the work that has been put forth to get to this point. So, we are all just cheering for him and excited to see him get out there on the field."
Madubuike went on the shelf starting with the Ravens' third game last season. He could come off it for Baltimore's third game this year, and there are few bigger stages than in Brazil against the Cowboys.
"It's been one unique journey," Madubuike said. "But I'm so happy just to be out there with the guys in practice and when the time is right, I'll be out there in the game and playing with the guys and dominating and doing what we do."