Nnamdi Madubuike Joins Team Drills as Zay Flowers Returns to Ravens Practice

Nnamdi Madubuike works through contact as Zay Flowers carries the ball in Ravens practice.

Nnamdi Madubuike joins Ravens team drills at a meaningful point in Baltimore’s preparation for the regular season. The veteran defensive tackle took part in portions of team work Thursday for the first time this summer, another step in his return from the neck injury that cost him nearly all of 2025.

The Ravens did not place Madubuike on injured reserve during final roster cuts, preserving the possibility that he could play early in the season. Still, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter described his status for the September 13 opener at Indianapolis as day to day. Participation is progress, not a guarantee that Madubuike will be cleared for Week 1.

Baltimore has reason to handle the process carefully. Madubuike required surgery after last season’s injury, and the club has emphasized a deliberate return. At full strength, he gives the defensive front a proven interior pass rusher. He recorded 13 sacks in 2023 and added 6.5 in 2024 before the injury interrupted his momentum.

The offense also regained an important piece Thursday. Wide receiver Zay Flowers practiced for the first time in roughly two weeks after being sidelined by what head coach Jesse Minter called a minor health issue. Flowers had not practiced since the joint sessions with Minnesota on August 19 and 20.

Flowers’ return restores the Ravens’ top receiver to the field with 10 days remaining before the opener. Baltimore has been evaluating a deeper group behind him, but timing with Lamar Jackson and work inside the new offense are difficult to replace with sideline preparation alone.

Devontez Walker was the only player not seen during the early portion of Thursday’s practice. That left Baltimore considerably closer to full participation than it had been through parts of August, though health status can change as the team moves into game-week work.

The initial 53-man roster set the available group; Thursday’s practice offered a better picture of how that group may come together. Madubuike’s limited team work and Flowers’ return are encouraging checkpoints. The next one is sustained participation—and then a decision on who is ready for Indianapolis.