Madubuike Returns to 11-on-11 Work as Ravens Leave Week 1 Door Open
His ramp-up could restore an elite interior pass rush that would materially raise Baltimore’s defensive ceiling under coach Jesse Minter.
Overview
- Madubuike resumed full-team 11-on-11 drills, a step reported Monday that makes him a real possibility to play in Week 1 while the team keeps his status day to day.
- Ravens coach Jesse Minter said the player has been “involved more and more every day” while stressing the organization will not rush Madubuike back and will monitor him closely.
- Madubuike missed 15 games after a season-ending neck injury in 2025 that required surgery, and he passed a team physical at the end of July before the slow preseason ramp-up.
- Baltimore strengthened the defensive line in free agency by signing Trey Hendrickson to a multiyear deal and left Madubuike off injured reserve when setting the 53-man roster to allow for an early return.
- If healthy and on a normal snap plan, Madubuike’s presence could both improve the pass rush and help the run defense, so the key near-term things to watch are his game-day designation and early snap counts.