Teddye Buchanan won’t be on the field for the Ravens’ season opener against the Colts on Sunday, and that’s a gut punch for a team already staring down some serious depth issues. It’s not just Buchanan, either, but his absence truly highlights a thin linebacker corps, making this Sunday’s kickoff a major test right out of the gate for Baltimore.
The Long Road Back Just Ended Too Soon (For Now)
Buchanan has been through the wringer, plain and simple. His 2025 season ended with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee all the way back on December 14th. And if that wasn’t enough, he also sprained his LCL in the very same knee. That’s a brutal combo, requiring a grueling recovery process. He only just managed to get back to practice on August 17th, pushing hard to be ready for Week 1. He was a limited participant in practices all week, battling, trying to get himself cleared. But it just wasn’t enough. Trenton Simpson, who’s been listed as a co-starter on the depth chart, is now officially the man stepping up to fill Buchanan’s shoes. That’s a huge spotlight on Simpson from day one, having to anchor that defense in a critical early season game.
Baltimore’s Depth Nightmare Hits Hard
Unfortunately, it’s not just Buchanan sidelined for the opener. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is also ruled out, another key guy coming off a season-ending injury from 2025. Coach Jesse Minter had previously given the team’s injury update where he reported Madubuike’s delayed return. But here’s the real kicker, the absolute nightmare for Baltimore: the Ravens have only three healthy linebackers on their entire 53-player roster right now. Think about that for a second, heading into the first game of the regular season. They’re almost certainly going to have to elevate Carl Jones Jr. from the practice squad just to have enough bodies at the position. That’s not exactly ideal for Week 1, relying on an elevated practice squad player for depth.
On top of those critical absences, wide receiver Devontez Walker is nursing a groin injury. He was limited in practices this week and is questionable for Sunday. The good news for Baltimore fans is Zay Flowers, another wide receiver, seems to be doing better; he returned to full participation on Thursday with no injury designation for his hamstring. Even veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell popped up on the injury report after taking a rest day on Friday. It’s a lot for the Ravens to manage at the very start of a new campaign.
So, the Ravens head into their Sunday clash with the Colts facing a gauntlet of early-season injuries, especially at linebacker. This isn’t how you want to start a season, especially when you’re trying to set the tone for the entire year. All eyes are going to be on Trenton Simpson and that patched-up linebacker group. Can they hold the line against the Colts? We’re about to find out how resilient this squad really is, and honestly, the pressure is on them to prove they can overcome this right away.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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