9-11-2026 10:50pm

NNAMDI

Jeff Barto Editor

Nnamdi Madubuike Never Doubted He Would Return From Neck Injury

While speculation swirled about whether Nnamdi Madubuike would play football again following a season-ending neck injury, Madubuike stayed quiet.

In his mind, there was never a question.

Speaking for the first time since last September, Madubuike respectfully declined to share any specifics about the injury itself, but did push back on the notion that his career was in jeopardy.

"There are a lot of rumors out there, but I always knew I was going to be back," Madubuike said. "It was just a process of coming back just like any other injury. This was my time in which I had to deal with it. I went through it, and now we are here."

Madubuike won't play in Sunday's season-opener in Indianapolis, Head Coach Jesse Minter announced Friday. The Ravens and Madubuike have taken his ramp-up slowly throughout training camp, and he's been back in 11-on-11 team drills for just two weeks.

Though Minter said he's "really, really close," to returning, Madubuike and the Ravens will wait at least another week before taking the final step into game action. Barring any setbacks, he'll be back sometime within the Ravens' first four games.

Madubuike said the injury, which sidelined him after just two games last season, was "definitely one of the hardest points of my life."

"I'm not going to get into the details of it, but I would definitely say it was pretty grueling," Madubuike said. "I'm looking forward right now. I'm just definitely thankful to be back and looking forward to what is ahead." FINISH READING HERE