One of the Ravens’ banged up units is taking another hit with an unsettling injury development as Baltimore preps for Week 3 matchup with Lions
The Ravens’ defensive line is already ailing without EDGE Kyle Van Noy. Now, another prominent starter is set to miss time.
The Baltimore Ravens are bracing for a major showcase in primetime on Monday night against the Detroit Lions. It’s a matchup that is filled with stars and exciting individual matchups. One of the biggest mismatch opportunities the Ravens have coming into this game, however, will not be at their disposal. It’s an unexpected change that has slowly crept up on Baltimore throughout the course of this week and it is now official, per coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh has ruled defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike out for Monday night against Detroit — he’ll join pass rusher Kyle Van Noy as ailing members of the Ravens’ pass rush.
Ravens pass rush takes a major blow versus Detroit with defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike ruled out
“I really can’t share any details on the injury itself but it’s something that they’re looking at. (Madubuike) came up with some symptoms after the game, nothing specific in the game where we saw it actually happen. But they’re dealing with the symptoms and they’re testing right now — so he will be ruled out for this game and they’re going to try to get to the bottom of it.”
— Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike’s injury
The update from Harbaugh is discouraging — it’s a neck injury for the Ravens’ star pass rusher on the interior. But it is the follow-up question that should create pause for Ravens fans. When asked if this could be an injury that prompts a stint on injured reserve, Harbaugh was non-committal.
“I can’t really comment on it right now. I don’t know enough to say,” said Harbaugh.
Only time will tell regarding the long-term outlook. But for Week 3, we know the disruptive tackle is officially out. His absence is a major break for a Lions team that has done a lot of shuffling along their offensive interior this past offseason. The Ravens will need rookies like Aeneas Peebles and Mike Green to step up in the absences of Madubuike and Van Noy. For how long? That’s now the big question that lingers amid this newest development.