ExtremeRavens Posted Tuesday at 04:47 PM Posted Tuesday at 04:47 PM INDIANAPOLIS — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta did not provide clarity Tuesday on defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike’s status, instead signaling the team remains in a holding pattern as the veteran defensive tackle recovers from a season-ending neck injury. “There’s a lot of unknown when you build a team,” DeCosta said at the NFL scouting combine. “I learned from [former general manager] Ozzie [Newsome], sometimes the best thing to do is wait for more information, and that’s what we continue to do.” Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the league’s highest-paid defensive tackles, suffered his neck injury in a Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore’s pass rush suffered greatly and never fully rebounded from Madubuike’s absence, finishing with just 30 sacks, third-fewest in the NFL, while ranking 28th in pass rush win rate at 30%. “It was tough to see Nnamdi go down last year,” DeCosta said. “[His injury] left us a little vulnerable.” Madubuike’s future has remained a subject of speculation, especially after he posted “Good news” last month on X. Throughout the 2025 season and into the offseason, team officials have declined to elaborate on his recovery timeline and future playing status. The Ravens signed Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million contract with $75.5 million guaranteed in March 2024, cementing his role as a foundational piece across the middle of the defensive line. During his two Pro Bowl seasons in 2023 and 2024, Madubuike compiled 19 1/2 sacks and 50 quarterback hits. Over 78 career games, he has 203 tackles, 30 sacks and 69 quarterback hits. DeCosta indicated the lingering uncertainty surrounding Madubuike, 28, will not alter Baltimore’s offseason approach. The Ravens, under new coach Jesse Minter, are in attendance at this week’s scouting combine to evaluate top draft-eligible players. Baltimore currently possesses 11 picks, including the No. 14 selection, in April’s NFL draft. “[Madubuike’s situation] doesn’t affect me very much,” DeCosta said. “If we have a chance to draft a great defensive tackle, we will. It’s one of the most important positions in football. We’ve always been a team that has valued the importance of the trenches. We should have a good opportunity to add players [in the draft].” Madubuike carries a cap hit of $30.975 million in 2026 with a guaranteed base salary of $22 million. Said DeCosta: “Salary cap-wise, [Madubuike] doesn’t have any major impact on us at this time.” First-year coach Jesse Minter acknowledged Madubuike remains in “great spirits,” and also noted that he met with the defensive player at the team’s facility in Owings Mills last week. “I’ll keep those conversations private,” Minter said. “I think that will be up to him when the time is right.” Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. Josh appears as a host on The Sun’s “Early Birds” podcast. View the full article Quote
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