The Ravens got one major sign of progress Wednesday, and one important setback, as they started turning the page toward Week 3 and a trip to Brazil.
Nnamdi Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, practiced fully for the first time since the regular season began. That matters because Baltimore has been waiting on his return ever since he suffered a career-threatening neck injury in Week 2 of the 2025 season. Madubuike has been on the field for every practice since training camp opened in late July, but he had been eased in slowly as a limited participant and was ruled out before each of the first two games this season.
Head coach Jesse Minter said earlier this month that the 28-year-old lineman was “really, really close” to being ready, and the Ravens’ decision not to place him on injured reserve at the end of the preseason reflected that. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defender has 25 sacks across his last three healthy seasons from 2022-24.
The update on Zay Flowers was not nearly as encouraging. The star receiver did not practice Wednesday after missing the Week 2 loss to New Orleans with a hamstring injury. He had been listed as a limited participant last Friday, though that looked more like a tactical move than a sign he was close to playing against the Saints.
Baltimore has been cautious with Flowers, whose hamstring has bothered him for more than a month. The condition of the field at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro has also been part of the conversation, and Minter said that will be weighed when the team decides whether Flowers plays in Week 3.
“I think you have to take everything into account, but most importantly what’s best for him,” Minter said. “We’ll figure all these out.
I think we have a lot of guys in that day-to-day range right now. We’ll figure out what’s best, but I think you always take everything into account to make sure that it’s in the best interest of the player.”
Flowers’ absence has already had a noticeable effect on the offense. In the five drives he has played this season, Baltimore has scored four touchdowns. Since then, the Ravens have managed three touchdowns in 15 possessions, not counting the final Indianapolis drive that ended with quarterback kneels.
That puts more pressure on Rashod Bateman, who answered Sunday with one of his better games despite the loss. Bateman finished with seven catches, 88 yards and a touchdown in the 24-17 defeat, even though the game ended with a Lamar Jackson interception intended for him. Jackson said the connection with Bateman remains strong.
“It’s not even building off from last week. We’ve had chemistry since he’s been in the league,” Jackson said.
“It’s just different guys, different things may happen in different games where other guys might get the ball more. We’re just taking what the defense gives us, but our chemistry’s always been there, and it’s going to continue to grow.”
There was more good news on the injury front for Baltimore, too. Second-year inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan practiced fully for the first time since the regular season started and may be close to making his season debut. Buchanan has not played since tearing the ACL in his right knee last December.
The Ravens also had concerns elsewhere. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley did not practice after leaving late in the third quarter Sunday with a toe injury that had already limited him last week. If Stanley can’t go against Dallas, Carson Vinson would be in position to make his first career start at left tackle.
Starting safety Malaki Starks was limited with a hamstring issue, another situation worth watching over the next couple of days.
Dallas had its own injury issues on Wednesday. Safeties Malik Hooker (forearm) and P.J.
Locke (foot) and cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) all sat out. Hooker missed Sunday’s win over Washington, while Locke and Durant are not expected to play in Week 3 after getting hurt against the Commanders.
The Cowboys were also without starting linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who sat out Week 2 with a hamstring injury.
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DL Calais Campbell (rest), WR Zay Flowers (hamstring), OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger), OT Ronnie Stanley (toe)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: WR Chris Moore (ankle), G John Simpson (groin), S Malaki Starks (hamstring), OLB Zion Young (quad)
FULL PARTICIPATION: ILB Teddye Buchanan (knee), DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck)
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