The Ravens will have some injuries to overcome on "Monday Night Football" against the Detroit Lions, as four players have been ruled out, including two top pass rushers and two key offensive weapons.
Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring), tight end Isaiah Likely (foot), and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf) were all ruled out Saturday.
Madubuike, who has two sacks in the first two games, didn't practice all week because of a neck issue and was ruled out by Head Coach John Harbaugh. Madubuike hasn't missed a game in the previous three seasons.
"I really can't share any details on the injury itself but it's something that they're looking at," Harbaugh said. "He came up with some symptoms after the game. Nothing specific in the game where we saw something happen. But they're dealing with the symptoms and they're testing right now. So he will be ruled out for this game, and they're going to try to get to the bottom of it."
It's a significant loss for the Ravens defensive front. Madubuike led all NFL defensive tackles with 13 sacks in 2023 and had 6.5 last season.
It also means rookie sixth-round pick Aeneas Peebles will see more snaps. Peebles has looked explosive at times during his first two games and made the Pro Football Focus Rookie All-Star team each week.
"I know he's going to play hard and he's going to get after it," Harbaugh said. "I have a feeling he'll make a few plays."
Peebles' mindset hasn't changed in light of Madubuike's absence.
"I go into every week trying to be the best Aeneas Peebles I can be," Peebles said. "That's all I can really think about, and that's all I can really do."
Van Noy, who led the Ravens with 12.5 sacks last season, has not practiced all week. His absence also means more snaps for a rookie, second-round pick Mike Green, and David Ojabo.
There was hope that Likely could make his debut Monday, but he didn't log a full practice this week. With four practices now under his belt, Likely could be on track to come back next Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Taking it day by day right now," Likely said Friday. "Trying to get my feet back underneath me. Being a presence out there is good for me. Y'all know I want to be out there."
Lions Rule Out Defensive Starter
The Lions are also dealing with a handful of injuries. They ruled out starting defensive end Marcus Davenport (chest) and listed linebacker Jack Campbell (ankle), left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest), safety Kerby Joseph (knee), and cornerback D.J. Reed (knee) as questionable.
