Ravens’ Defense Shaken: Star DT Madubuike and LB Van Noy Ruled Out—What This Means for Their Season

The Baltimore Ravens are heading into Monday Night Football a bit lighter than they’d hoped, missing four key players including defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike. Madubuike, a consistent force who’s donned the Ravens’ colors in every game for the past three seasons and racked up a couple of sacks already this year, won’t take the field due to a nagging neck injury that sidelined him all week in practice. Coach John Harbaugh remains tight-lipped on the specifics but acknowledged some troubling symptoms after the last game have prompted ongoing tests, ruling Madubuike out for this one as the team hunts for answers. Stepping up to fill the void, sixth-round rookie Aeneas Peebles is poised to earn more reps, carrying a fresh sense of opportunity. The Ravens’ injury woes don’t stop there either—outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, tight end Isaiah Likely, and fullback Patrick Ricard will also miss the contest, shifting more responsibilities onto younger players like rookie Mike Green and David Ojabo. It’s a challenging lineup shuffle, no doubt, but one that could reveal unexpected playmakers under pressure. LEARN MORE

Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is one of four players the Ravens will not have for Monday Night Football against the Lions.

The Ravens ruled out Madubuike on Saturday after he missed practice all week with a neck injury.

Madubuike, who played every game the previous three seasons, has two sacks in two games.

“I really can’t share any details on the injury itself, but it’s something that they’re looking at,” coach John Harbaugh said, via Ryan Mink of the team website. “He came up with some symptoms after the game. Nothing specific in the game where we saw something 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.”

Sixth-round pick Aeneas Peebles will see more snaps in Madubuike’s absence.

“I know he’s going to play hard and he’s going to get after it,” Harbaugh said. “I have a feeling he’ll make a few plays.”

The Ravens also ruled out outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf).

Van Noy, who led the Ravens with 12.5 sacks last season, did not practice all week. His absence also means more snaps for a rookie, second-round pick Mike Green, and David Ojabo.