Ravens’ GM Says Madubuike ‘Pointed in the Right Direction’ to Come Back From Neck Injury

Madubuike’s injury ended his 2025 season and threatened his career.

Nnamdi Madubuike #92 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Jan. 11, 2025 Al Bello/Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta gave an update on defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike’s health on July 16.

Madubuike suffered a neck injury early in the 2025 season that sidelined him for the entire year and called his ability to play again into question. Madubuike had surgery in the offseason to repair it, and DeCosta said in a radio interview that Madubuike is trending toward a return sometime in the next few weeks.

During an appearance on 105.7 The Fan’s “Vinny and Haynie” on Thursday, DeCosta was asked about Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan, who suffered a torn ACL late in the season, and their recovery.

“Well, obviously both guys are really important to our defense, and I think those injuries last year, now Teddy’s was at the end, but both injuries last year [were] gut-wrenching in different ways,” DeCosta said. “I’m optimistic about both guys. I’m not going to get into all the specifics, but I think you'll see Teddye sooner than later.”

Buchanan was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens out of Cal. He tore his ACL in the Ravens’ 24–0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 14, 2025. Despite this, he finished third on the team in total tackles with 93. He added half a sack, a forced fumble, and a pass defense.

Cleveland Clinic estimates that it takes between six and nine months to heal from an ACL tear; competitive athletes may take longer to be fully cleared. DeCosta said he has handled his rehab exceptionally.

“He has done a great job,” DeCosta said. “I mean, top one percent of rehabs that I’ve seen in my time here—which has been 30 years—in terms of rehab. Very, very optimistic about Teddy.”

Madubuike suffered a neck injury in the Ravens’ 41–17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 14, 2025. The injury was never disclosed, but it was serious enough that questions loomed large about when he would return, or if he would be able to at all. But he had surgery in April, and his doctors were encouraged by his progress and said he would be able to return this season. But DeCosta wasn’t sure when.

“Nnamdi is a little bit more unclear, I would say,” he said. “I think everything looks to be pointed in the right direction, but you’re talking about a different type of injury, a different type of circumstance. I’m excited about where Nnamdi is, and I think we‘ll have more information in the coming weeks. Like in the next two weeks, I think we’ll have a lot more information that we'll be able to share with people.”

DeCosta explained that in any case of a season-ending injury, the player goes through all the stages of rehab. Then there is a ramp-up period during camp where the player will start practicing in individual periods, then some of the group periods, before participating in a full-team period.

Even then, the team will manage the number of reps the player will take during camp and include days off.

Ravens Vice President of Health and Performance Dr. Nic Gill and head athletic trainer Adrian Dixon have mapped out a plan for the two players, and head coach Jesse Minter has worked out a practice schedule that will suit their needs.

“[When] you get a player at the end of the year that tears an ACL like Teddy did, to see where he is now is really exciting. And then with Nnamdi, you’re talking about one of the more disruptive interior pass rushers in the league, and a huge influence on our defense,” DeCosta said.

“[He is] really a guy that is a force multiplier in a lot of different ways. If we can get him back out there, I think it has a tremendous impact on our defense.”

The Ravens begin training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center on July 24.