Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike out vs. Chiefs with neck harm

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens have dominated out defensive sort out Nnamdi Madubuike for Sunday’s sport on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, with coach John Harbaugh acknowledging he is frightened concerning the Professional Bowler’s neck harm.

“I’d say I’m involved about it,” Harbaugh mentioned Wednesday when requested if he is frightened that Madubuike’s harm could possibly be long run.

He then added: “However I am not likely able to touch upon it proper now. I have never been given the OK to touch upon it at this level.”

It has been an enormous loss for a struggling Ravens protection that ranks final within the NFL for the primary time since Week 16 of 2021. The 27-year-old Madubuike, the Ravens’ finest defensive lineman who has made the Professional Bowl the previous two seasons, has 21.5 sacks because the begin of the 2023 season — essentially the most by any defensive sort out within the league.

With out Madubuike, the Ravens allowed 207 yards speeding between the tackles — essentially the most they’ve allowed in a sport since ESPN started monitoring the stat in 2006 — in Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions. Baltimore additionally did not report a sack in a sport for the primary time in 4 years.

The Ravens try to keep away from their first 1-3 begin in 10 years.

Madubuike developed signs after Baltimore’s Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns and underwent additional testing. The Ravens are uncertain when the harm occurred in that sport and haven’t any timetable on his return.

“So, he isn’t going to play this week, I can let you know that,” Harbaugh mentioned. “And we’ll should see going ahead once they know what they should know.”

Madubuike is within the second yr of a four-year, $98 million contract that features $75.5 million assured.

“Clearly, he is a man that we’d like and is dominant,” exterior linebacker Odafe Oweh mentioned. “I really feel unhealthy, but it surely’s the following man up mentality. We might be doing him a disservice if we had been out right here not enjoying arduous.”

Oweh mentioned he spoke to Madubuike a couple of days in the past.

“I used to be simply attempting to get in his head to see how he feels,” Oweh mentioned. “He feels good. He is simply attempting to get again on the sphere.”

Madubuike is not the one Ravens defensive lineman coping with an harm. Beginning nostril sort out Travis Jones (knee) and defensive sort out Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle), who crammed in for Madubuike, each didn’t observe Wednesday.

“I’ve a very good feeling about these guys,” Harbaugh mentioned. “However we must wait and see.”