The Baltimore Ravens’ banged-up defense just took another significant hit heading into their Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike was already missed in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions, who racked up 224 yards on the ground, and now he’s heading to injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.
The news got even worse for the Ravens, who also lost defensive lineman Broderick Washington to IR as well, though the team announced a flurry of moves that they hope will make up for their big losses up front.
Baltimore is quite depleted on the defensive side of the ball with injuries to linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), and defensive tackle Travis Jones. The Ravens also ready put linebacker Adisa Isaac (elbow), safety Ar’Darius Washington (Achilles), and cornerbacks Robert Longerbeam (knee) and Bilhal Kone (knee) on injured reserve.
The Ravens enter Week 4 ranked 31st in scoring defense and 32nd overall on that side of the ball — a far cry from what the franchise has been known for throughout its history.
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“We have placed Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington on injured reserve,” the Ravens announced in a post on X on September 27. “We have signed DE Brent Urban and TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden to the 53-man roster. We have also elevated DT C.J. Okoye and NT Josh Tupou from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game.”
Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro, started the Ravens’ first two games, but Washington is missing his first contest.
Both players must miss at least four games, putting them on track to return in Week 9 on the road against the Miami Dolphins, thanks to their bye in Week 7. The Ravens will face the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams before then.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reacted to the Ravens’ move, noting Madubuike is “one of their best defenders.”
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The Ravens added former Indianapolis Colts first-round pick Taven Bryan to their practice squad earlier in the week, and head coach John Harbaugh expressed concern over Madubuike’s injury. It is now clear why.
“I would say I am concerned about it, but I’m not really in a position to comment on it right now,” Harbaugh told reporters on Sept. 24. “Haven’t been given the ‘okay’ to comment on it at this point. So, he’s not going to play this week. I can tell you that. And we’re going to have to see going forward when they know what they need to know.”
