KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Baltimore Ravens positioned Nnamdi Madubuike on injured reserve on Saturday, which creates extra uncertainty in regards to the Professional Bowl defensive deal with’s neck damage.
Madubuike will now miss at the least the subsequent 4 video games, however the Ravens have been imprecise about when he might return. Earlier this week, coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that he’s “involved” that this may very well be a long-term damage however wasn’t allowed to remark any additional.
Harbaugh mentioned Friday that he didn’t have any extra data on Madubuike aside from he would miss Sunday’s recreation at Kansas Metropolis, including, “That’s so far as I can state with certainty at this level.”
The lack of Madubuike is a big one for Baltimore, which ranks final within the NFL in protection for the primary time since 2021. The Ravens additionally rank thirtieth in run protection and thirty first in opposition to the move.
With Madubuike sidelined in Monday evening’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Ravens allowed 207 yards dashing between the tackles, which is probably the most they’ve allowed in a recreation since ESPN started monitoring the stat in 2006. Baltimore additionally didn’t report a sack in a recreation for the primary time in 4 years. Madubuike’s 21.5 sacks because the begin of the 2023 season are probably the most by an NFL defensive deal with over that span.
Madubuike, 27, had performed in 55 straight video games earlier than injuring his neck in a 41-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 14, though the Ravens are nonetheless uncertain when he obtained harm. He developed signs after the sport and underwent additional testing.
A Professional Bowl participant the previous two seasons, Madubuike is within the second 12 months of a four-year, $98 million contract that features $75.5 million assured.
Along with Madubuike, Baltimore additionally positioned defensive finish Broderick Washington (ankle) on injured reserve, which suggests the Ravens might be with out two beginning defensive linemen for a stretch that features video games on the Chiefs and residential in opposition to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears.
Baltimore signed defensive finish Brent City and tight finish Zaire Mitchell-Paden to the 53-man roster and elevated defensive deal with C.J. Okoye and nostril deal with Josh Tupou from the observe squad.
The Ravens wish to keep away from their first 1-3 begin in 10 years once they face the Chiefs on Sunday.