The Ravens have placed defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and defensive lineman Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle) on injured reserve, knocking them out for at least four games and stretching Baltimore's defensive line.
It's a tough blow for the Ravens' defense, which will take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday and is coming off a game in which it surrendered 224 rushing yards to the Detroit Lions.
Madubuike hadn't practiced since he had symptoms following the Ravens' win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. Head Coach John Harbaugh ruled Madubuike out for the second straight week on Wednesday and said he had long-term concerns about his status.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Madubuike led all defensive tackles with 13 sacks in 2023 and was one of the Ravens' best pass rushers in the first two weeks with a sack in each game.
Washington didn't practice all week with his ankle injury and was ruled out on Friday. A key cog in Baltimore's defensive front for the past six seasons, Washington has four tackles and one start this season.
The Ravens have also signed tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden and defensive lineman Brent Urban to the 53-man roster.
The Ravens used all three practice squad elevations on Mitchell-Paden in the first three weeks to help fill the void of fullback Patrick Ricard, who has yet to play due to a calf injury. Urban played 37% of defensive snaps last week against the Lions after Baltimore called him up from the practice squad.
Baltimore also elevated defensive tackles C.J. Okoye and Josh Tupou from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. It will be Okoye's NFL regular season debut after the international (Nigeria) player spent his fist two seasons on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad.
Both Tupou and the 6-foot-6, 370-pound Okoye, who flashed in the preseason, can provide depth in the trenches. Starting nose tackle Travis Jones is also questionable for Sunday's game with a knee injury. Harbaugh also said he expects 36-year-old nose tackle John Jenkins to have an increased role on Sunday.
Jones, who was able to log two limited practices on Thursday and Friday, is one of four Ravens questionable for Sunday's game alongside tight end Isaiah Likely (foot), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle), and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
