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Ravens Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike underwent surgery on his neck last week, according to ESPN.

Doctors believe he will return to play this season, according to insider Adam Schefter.

Sources close to Madubuike did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication, nor did a Ravens spokesperson.

Madubuike, who was named a Pro Bowler in 2023 and 2024, was injured in Week 2 of the 2025 season.

A week later, the Ravens announced Madubuike would be out for the rest of the season. Team officials did not discuss the nature of the injury, saying they would leave that to Madubuike.

He has not spoken to reporters since then.

His return to the sideline for games late in the season quieted rumors on social media that he had already retired. Reporters asked about him at the season-ending press conference, the scouting combine in February and the annual league meeting in March but team officials again offered no update.

Madubuike started posting workout videos on social media earlier this year. Ravens strength and conditioning coordinator Scott Elliott acknowledged that it appeared Madubuike was in great shape, but he also said that was not indication of Madubuike’s ability to return to the field.

The Ravens’ pass rush suffered in 2025 without Madubuike. He had had 13 sacks in 2023, the most in the league among interior defensive lineman, and drew increased double teams in 2024 to free up other pass rushers. That year, the Ravens were second in the league with 54 sacks; last season, they managed only 30 to finish near the bottom of the league.

Madubuike takes up significant salary cap space. He signed a four-year, $98 million contract in 2024 and is on the books for a $29,872,059 cap hit in 2026. That’s the third-largest cap hit on the team and takes up 9.92% of salary cap space.

Amidst the uncertainty around Madubuike, the team signed defensive tackles Travis Jones and John Jenkins to extensions.

General manager Eric DeCosta has said Madubuike’s outlook does not affect their plans for the draft and that they would like to add a new defensive lineman every year.