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Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike is nearing the end of his journey back from a season-ending neck injury, but he won’t be ready for the Ravens’ Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Madubuike returned to team drills this week, coach Jesse Minter said. It’s the first time he’s participated since the week leading up to the Ravens’ Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns last season.

“It definitely really put things in perspective for me about how much I love this game and how much I love being here and just how much I love being on that field,” Madubuike said Friday in his first media session since the injury. “And in my head I always knew, I had no doubt I was going to be back. It was just about the process of coming back. And now we’re here.”

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Madubuike injured his neck in that Week 2 game and missed the rest of the season. He underwent surgery in April and passed his physical in time for training camp. But he spent most of camp working to the side with the strength and conditioning staff, starting position work only in mid-August.

Over the final weeks of camp, Madubuike ramped up the intensity of the position drills he participated in. But he did not return to team drills until after training camp.

Despite that, the Ravens elected not to put him on injured reserve, indicating they believe he will be back within the first four games, general manager Eric DeCosta said. He added he’s more “bullish” in his belief that Madubuike will contribute sooner rather than later than he’s ever been.

While Minter ruled Madubuike out for the team’s first game, he shared an optimistic message as he did so.

“He is really, really close,” he said. “It’s been a great process for him to return from the injury that he had. I feel great about where he’s at, but we’re not going to play him this week. ... But I think this is just the best for him.”

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Note

Along with Madubuike, Ravens inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan was ruled out of Sunday’s game. Buchanan, who’s coming back from a season-ending knee injury, was limited in practice this week. Trenton Simpson is expected to start in his place, next to Roquan Smith. Wide receiver Devontez Walker (groin) is questionable after a limited week.

Colts reserve linebacker Austin Ajiake (hamstring) is questionable. Star wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) did not receive a game designation despite being limited all week.

This article has been updated.