Nnamdi Madubuike one of 6 players placed on PUP list ahead of Ravens camp

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Defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike’s long-awaited return will have to wait a little longer.

The Ravens placed the Pro Bowler on the physically-unable-to-perform list Saturday, more than 10 months after he suffered a season-ending and career-threatening neck injury in Week 2 of the 2025 season. Team officials remain optimistic that Madubuike can participate in training camp, putting him on track for a return to action this fall.

Madubuike was one of six players put on the PUP list, the team announced, joining defensive linemen John Jenkins and Travis Jones, inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac and cornerback Bilhal Kone.

Center Corey Bullock, meanwhile, was placed on the non-football-illness list. The Ravens can activate a player off the PUP or NFI list at any point before or after camp opens Wednesday in Owings Mills.

Madubuike had been looking forward to a season marked by stats and sacks. Instead, it was filled with mysterious social posts and vague updates.

Drafted in 2020, Madubuike had a breakout season in 2023 when he recorded 13 sacks, the most by an interior defensive lineman in the the NFL. He was named a Pro Bowler and rewarded with a four-year, $98 million contract extension from the Ravens.

A known quantity in 2024, Madubuike drew extra attention from offensive lines and was held to 6.5 sacks. However, while his stats went down, his significance came in the openings he provided teammates.

Even knowing that, Madubuike was determined to increase his production in 2025.

“It freed up a bunch of guys and it was frustrating at times, but I made an emphasis this offseason to find ways to split [the double teams], get stronger in the weight room and stuff like that,” Madubuike said ahead of training camp last year. “And [I] even [wanted to] add a little bit more weight, because I know they’re going to be sliding. It’s a good thing and I appreciate it, but I definitely want to keep being productive and being the player that I know I can be.”

Madubuike opened the season with two sacks in two games. But he suffered a neck injury in the second game, a win over the Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens ruled him out for Week 3. Nine days later, they ruled him out for the season.

At the time, then-head coach John Harbaugh declined to provide details on the diagnosis, saying he’d leave that to Madubuike.

That line has lasted from one league year to the next and from one coaching staff to the next.

Over the past 10 months, Harbaugh and then new head coach Jesse Minter, along with general manager Eric DeCosta, have declined to provide details with their updates. And most updates were that they had no new details to share.

Meanwhile, Madubuike remained mum in person but shared posts to Instagram that stirred speculation. He wrote “Celebrate your journey” in December with a crystal ball.

When the Ravens returned for their offseason training program, strength and conditioning director Scott Elliott shared that Madubuike was working hard, but he couldn’t comment on his medical status. On social media, a video of Madubuike training backed up Elliott’s words.

Finally, in April, a significant update came when ESPN reported Madubuike underwent successful neck surgery and was expected to return. In May Minter said Madubuike was trending in a great direction, and in June he said the Ravens felt good about his status.

Madubuike has not addressed his injury publicly. He held a camp in Baltimore, but media members were turned away from interacting with him.

If Madubuike returns, he will be the third-highest-paid player on the team in 2026. If he doesn’t play, well, the Ravens still owe him $48,616,177 in guaranteed money over the next two seasons.

Note

The Ravens reunited with former wide receiver Chris Moore and signed offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji to their 90-man roster Saturday. Both tried out Friday.

Moore, 33, a 2016 fourth-round pick in Baltimore, played 61 games over his first five seasons with the Ravens. He had 47 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns and contributed primarily on special teams. In 14 games last season with the Washington Commanders, he had 11 catches for 207 yards and a score. He also had six kick returns for 157 yards.

Adeniji, 28, appeared in 12 games last season for the Dallas Cowboys, starting one game at left guard. He allowed two pressures in 41 pass block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Adeniji has played 55 games and started 16 over his career, including 15 with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Both will enter camp on the roster bubble, with the Ravens lacking veteran experience at wide receiver and lacking proven depth at tackle. In corresponding moves, the Ravens released punter Luke Elzinga and offensive lineman Jared Penning.

This article has been updated.