ExtremeRavens Posted September 20 Posted September 20 After being the healthiest team in the NFL by a wide margin in terms of adjusted games lost last season, the Ravens will enter Monday night’s showdown against the Detroit Lions and one of the league’s top offenses without one of their defensive stars. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was ruled out with a neck injury, coach John Harbaugh confirmed after Saturday’s practice. Harbaugh said that it’s too early to tell whether Madubuike, who didn’t practice all week, is a candidate for injured reserve as the team continues to evaluate the two-time Pro Bowl selection. If he were to go on IR, he would have to miss at least four games. “It’s something that they’re looking it,” Harbaugh said when asked whether the injury was muscular or structural, declining to go into specifics. “He came up with some symptoms after the game.” Harbaugh added that Madubuike will undergo more testing, an indication that he could potentially be out for a longer period of time beyond Monday’s game. The 2020 third-round draft pick had played in 55 straight games and was on the field for 43 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. Madubuike wasn’t the only player absent from the final open practice of the week. Outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy was also missing for a third straight day after suffering a hamstring injury in last week’s win over the Cleveland Browns. Van Noy is expected to miss at least some time, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Sun earlier this week. Being without both defenders would be a blow for Baltimore. Van Noy led the Ravens with 12 1/2 sacks last season, while Madubuike has a team-high two sacks and 10 pressures through the first two games of this season. The Lions also come into the contest third in points per game (32.5), fifth in yards per game (378.5) and fresh off a 52-point performance against the Chicago Bears in which they also tallied 511 yards. Already, the Ravens this season have been without tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback/tight end Patrick Ricard (calf), though Likely has been practicing, albeit in a limited capacity, and is expected to return sooner than later. Cornerback Jaire Alexander has also been slowed by a knee injury and was scratched from last week’s game. How much if at all the former All-Pro plays this week remains to be seen. “It’s gonna be sooner rather than later,” Harbaugh said of Alexander. “He’s chomping at the bit for sure. I just want to be fair to him.” With Madubuike out, veterans Broderick Washington Jr., John Jenkins and sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles are expected to see an increase in their snap counts. The Ravens could also look to elevate veteran defensive end Brent Urban from the practice squad. “Those guys are all going to have to step up and pick up the slack,” Harbaugh said. If Madubuike misses any significant amount of time, it’s possible that the Ravens could also turn to the veteran free agent market or acquire someone via trade. This year’s trade deadline is Nov. 11 following Week 10. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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