Nnamdi Madubuike passed his physical and was removed from the active PUP list Wednesday, putting the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle on the practice field for the Ravens' first full training camp session in Owings Mills.
It's the finish line on a return that Baltimore Sports Feed covered as it developed: Madubuike was placed on the active PUP list Saturday as a procedural step, as The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec reported that independent spine and cervical doctors had already cleared him to return following April neck surgery.
That injury, suffered in Week 2 of last season, immediately put his 2025 campaign — and, for a stretch, his career outlook — in doubt. His return - if he can stay healthy - signifcantly boosts the Ravens' defense under first-year head coach Jesse Minter, and adds another threat to line unit that added Trey Hendrickson as a free agent.
"Super-excited to see that dude out there with his jersey on, and his helmet. He looked great," Minter said of Madubuike's return after the Ravens' opening camp practice on Wednesday. "He's been working really hard and I think there's positive things to come with him." He also said, "It's still a process to get ready to play football, and that's something we're going to work through over these next couple weeks. I think everybody has a good feeling about where he's at, and where it's headed."
Teammates were already anticipating this moment a day earlier, at Tuesday's media availability. "It'd be incredible, you know? That's my guy," tight end Mark Andrews said of Madubuike. "He's just such a beast and an incredible person on and off the field. I know how badly he wants it and how much playing here means to him."
Outside linebacker Tavius Robinson described watching Madubuike's rehab up close: "Injury is never easy, but to see him be in here and grinding, getting better every day and just still coming in with a smile on his face while he was going through that was good to see."
Tackle Ronnie Stanley put the stakes in context: "He is our defensive leader on that line, and the trenches are where it all starts. On that front, people look to him for leadership."
Madubuike earned Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024 and signed a four-year, $98 million extension in 2024 before the injury sidelined him.