Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike had neck surgery, trending towards 2026 return

Oct 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) reacts after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (not pictured) in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed almost all of the 2025 season due to a neck injury, recently underwent surgery and is trending towards a return to the field sometime this year.

A boost for Baltimore during draft week: Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a season-ending and career-threatening neck injury in Week 2 last season, underwent neck surgery last week that left his doctors believing he willl be able to resume playing this season, per... pic.twitter.com/cm0RTff2Hf

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2026

Madubuike, 28, was a 2020 third-round pick who emerged as one of league's best defensive tackles in 2023 with 13.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. His counting stats dipped in 2024, but his impact did not, and his season-ending injury in Week 2 last year was one of the biggest factors in the Ravens' defensive struggles.

Baltimore's pass rush virtually collapsed without the two-time Pro Bowler on the field. Through two games, Madubuike logged a 20.3% pass rush win rate - the highest of any DT last year, per Pro Football Focus - along with 10 pressures and two sacks. Travis Jones was the team's only other DT to surpass those counting numbers in the entire season, and the defense as a whole finished with just 30 sacks, the third-fewest in the league.

This story will be updated with more information.