Alright, Ravens fans, listen up! Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, a guy who hasn’t seen the field since Week 2 last season due to a gnarly neck injury, just got cleared by independent doctors to return. Yeah, you heard that right. After a grueling 10 months of wondering if he’d ever step on a professional field again, the big man is back, even though he’s starting training camp on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
The Long Road Back for a Pro Bowler
Can you even imagine? Ten whole months, almost a year, staring down the barrel of “will I ever play again?” for a guy who’s been to the Pro Bowl twice. That’s gotta be grueling, a mental battle as much as a physical one, after injuring his neck last season. But here we are, training camp is kicking off, and Madubuike, despite being on the PUP list, has that crucial clearance from independent doctors. That’s huge! It means the medical experts, not just the team’s, believe he’s ready to go. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta has been hinting at this, saying earlier this month that “everything looks to be pointed in the right direction” for Madubuike’s return. And get this: the word is he could be back practicing as soon as next week. That’s an unbelievably quick turnaround for a guy who’s been through so much uncertainty.
Ravens Camp Kicks Off With Some Familiar Headaches
While Madubuike’s clearance is a massive win, he’s not the only Raven kicking off camp on the PUP list. The team has a few more guys working their way back, and it’s something to keep an eye on as the early days of the season approach. Nose tackles Travis Jones and John Jenkins are both on the active/PUP list. Jones, who was an absolute beast last year leading the team with five sacks, is recovering from pectoral surgery. That’s a big hit to the D-line depth right out of the gate. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee), outside linebacker Adisa Isaac (elbow), and cornerback Bilhal Kone (knee) are also on the active/PUP list. Plus, center Corey Bullock is starting camp on the non-football illness list. That’s a laundry list of guys to manage for the coaching staff.
This early season injury report is definitely something Ravens fans need to watch. Getting Madubuike back practicing next week would be huge, but how fast these other key players can return will shape the early look of the team. We’ll be keeping a close eye on those practice reports, especially with Madubuike potentially hitting the field in just a few days.
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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