Nnamdi Madubuike returns to field for Ravens’ first training camp practice

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The Ravens welcomed star defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike back as they took the field for the first day of training camp.

The two-time Pro Bowler suffered a neck injury in Week 2 of last season that knocked him out for the year. He underwent neck surgery in April and was slated to start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

But as players took the field at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills to open camp, No. 92 made an unexpected entrance.

Madubuike did not join the rest of the defense early in the session, though, instead going to a separate field to work on individual drills.

Madubuike has not played since Sept. 14.

Team officials have provided little clarity on the injury or what kind of surgery Madubuike underwent, but head coach Jesse Minter said during minicamp that they “feel good about where it’s at.”

Madubuike had a breakout season in 2023, finishing with 13 sacks, the most of any interior defensive lineman in the NFL. Once he was a known quantity, teams double-teamed him in 2024. Madubuike’s stats went down, but his impact was felt in the opportunities he created for his teammates.

Without him last season, the defense cratered.

" I think it was a domino effect; I think it was a trickle effect,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said. “I think Travis Jones being — with Broderick [Washington Jr.] gone and Madubuike gone — God bless Travis. I think he did the very best he could, but if he’d had Madubuike next to him, he’d have been singled all year long, and instead, they were able to double him all year long.”

Madubuike has yet to speak publicly about his injury, but teammates expressed excitement at the idea of getting him back.

The Ravens are starting training camp without much defensive line depth — Jones and John Jenkins are also on the PUP list.