The Baltimore Ravens have placed defensive tackles Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and Broderick Washington (knee) on injured reserve ahead of their Week 4 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. Both players will be sidelined for at least four games, forcing the team to rely heavily on their defensive line depth in the coming month.
To fill the gaps, the Ravens signed Brent Urban to the active roster on Saturday as a corresponding move. Additionally, C.J. Okoye and Josh Tupou were elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game in Kansas City.
Madubuike’s absence will be particularly challenging to overcome. Last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions highlighted just how impactful he is on the field. Without him, opposing offenses can freely double-team Travis Jones, putting increased pressure on Baltimore’s other defenders to make plays—something they struggled to do against strong offenses in Weeks 1 and 3.
While losing Washington is a blow to the team’s depth, his on-field production this season had not met expectations. Now in his sixth year, Washington has not performed up to the standards the Ravens hoped for when they signed him to a three-year extension in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, his run defense grade has dropped to 27.7, with an overall grade of 30.4—both the lowest among NFL defensive linemen with a minimum of 40 snaps this season.
The Ravens will need to find suitable replacements to fill Washington’s snaps moving forward. It’s possible that whoever steps in could actually be an improvement over recent performances.
The long-term outlook for both Madubuike and Washington remains uncertain. Head coach John Harbaugh has refrained from providing details about the severity of Madubuike’s neck injury, but the team’s caution suggests he may be out for longer than the minimum four games.
Harbaugh appeared more optimistic about Washington earlier in the week, but further evaluations have indicated a more serious concern. With the team’s bye week in Week 7, Washington’s minimum four-game absence won’t end until after Week 8. Ideally, he can return to practice as soon as eligible and rejoin the lineup by Week 9. Even better would be a return marked by improved play compared to his recent struggles.
As the Ravens navigate these challenges, their defensive depth and ability to adapt will be critical to maintaining competitiveness over the next month and beyond.
https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/baltimore-ravens-news/76104/ravens-put-2-starting-defensive-linemen-on-ir
