On Saturday evening, the Ravens officially placed defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, as reported by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebeic. In addition to Madbuike, they also placed several other players on the PUP list: DT Travis Jones, ILB Teddye Buchanan, CB Bilhal Kone, DT John Jenkins, and OLB Adisa Isaac, all for varying different injuries.
The update on Madubuike is most notable, as fans have been long awaiting news on the status of the All-Pro in his recovery
from a neck injury. While the PUP list sometimes indicates a player will be sidelined for an extended period of time, this does not appear to be the case for Madubuike.
According to Zrebiec, Madubuike has been cleared to return to football action by independent spine and cervical doctors — a significant hurdle that at least ensures he can ultimately take the field again. Ever since Madubuike suffered a season-ending neck injury in 2025, there’s been a looming cloud of uncertainty as to whether or not he may ever play again.
Zrebiec also added that the 28-year-old is on PUP for the team to evaluate his conditioning state and could begin practicing as early as next week. Madubuike’s return to action would be a huge boost for the Ravens’ defense, as he’s the team’s best interior pass rusher. He racked up 54 pressures, 19.5 sacks and 50 quarterback hits in 2023 and 2024 combined.
Jones, who had a career-best season in 2025, is returning from a pectoral injury but should also be set to take the field sooner rather than later. Jones stepped up as a leading defensive presence in Madubuike’s absence last year and earned a three-year contract extension. When Jones and Madubuike are both back in the fold, now joined by veteran Calais Campbell, the Ravens will have a much-improved defensive front.
Buchanan suffered a torn ACL in the back-half of his 2025 season, which cut short a solid rookie campaign. He had seized the starting linebacker role opposite Roquan Smith and was named AFC Defensive Rookie of the Month in October. Buchanan’s recovery status will be worth watching, but the Ravens have a serviceable option to start in the meantime in Trenton Simpson.
Perhaps the biggest disappointing PUP placement from this list is Isaac, who is entering a make-or-break summer. The former fourth-round pick has played only 32 total defensive snaps since being drafted in 2024 and has dealt with multiple injuries that have kept him sidelined. For Isaac to secure a roster spot and be able to carve out a role, a quick return to action from his elbow injury will be important.
