During the Ravens' practice on Monday, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike hit the sled in drills for the first time this summer.
Although Madubuike has yet to participate in team drills, Monday was another positive step for the All-Pro, who has not played since suffering a neck injury during Week 2 of last season that required surgery.
The Ravens have defensive line depth in a room that currently includes Travis Jones, Calais Campbell, Broderick Washington Jr., Aeneas Peebles, Rayshaun Benny, John Jenkins, C.J. Okoye, and others. But Madubuike is a two-time Pro Bowler who is a three-down impact player when at full strength.
The Ravens kick off the regular season in just less than three weeks, Sept. 13 in Indianapolis, and Head Coach Jesse Minter was asked if there was enough time for Madubuike to have a role in Week 1.
"That's something we'll look at," Minter said. "I don't know if I've got a definitive answer for that. I think every day is like, 'How did today go, what more can we do?'
"We'll continue to look for that and see where that's at. But we feel really good about him being in a good position to help us."
Danny Pinter's Injury Appears to be Season-Ending
Veteran center Danny Pinter appears to have suffered a season-ending injury during a joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings last week, according to Minter.
It has been reported that Pinter suffered a torn patella tendon and would miss "extended time."
The 30-year-old Pinter had been taking reps with the starting unit this summer as the frontrunner to win the job after signing with the Ravens in March. After spending his first five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a backup, Pinter could have been a starter for the first time.
"It's looking like a season-ending thing. My heart's out to him," Minter said. "Him coming here, knowing the situation that we had, earning the opportunity to potentially be a starter. But I know he'll work through this and come back from it, the type of guy that he is. I feel for a guy like that."
Minter Shares His View on the Center Competition
Pinter's injury leaves Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic competing for the starting job, making this a critical week in their battle. The Ravens host the Washington Commanders for a joint practice on Wednesday, followed by the Ravens-Commanders preseason finale at 6 p.m. on Friday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Gwyn never started during his three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. However, he was coached in Atlanta by Ravens Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Dwayne Ledford, who also joined the Ravens this offseason.
The union between Gwyn and Ledford has been good for the fourth-year center. After reviewing the tape from Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings, Minter talked about Gwyn's traits that were impressive.
"I think overall his athleticism," Minter said. "He's really powerful. There's still a lot to get better at, but we certainly like where he's at."
Pocic is the most experienced center on the roster with 97 career starts, including 13 games with the Cleveland Browns last season before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in December. Minter indicated that Pocic's work will be ramped up this week, including some reps with the starters. Pocic saw his most extended game action since joining the Ravens against Minnesota on Saturday, playing 28 snaps.
"We like where Ethan's at," Minter said. "I think he's really asserted himself into that competition. I think that's going to be an ongoing thing over these next couple of weeks.
"I definitely see him at some point in the next few days, week or so, getting a lot of work. Giving both of those guys chances with the first team and letting it shake out."
Randy Brown Draws Praise for Work With Young Kickers
Senior Special Teams Coach Randy Brown is a holdover from the previous coaching staff, and Minter praised Brown for his work with kicker Tyler Loop and punter Ryan Eckley.
Loop made six of seven field goal attempts during Monday's practice, including makes from 63 and 58 yards. Eckley, a rookie sixth-round pick, had an outstanding game Saturday with punts of 60, 59, 59, 56 and 40 yards, as well as a 54-yarder that pinned the Vikings at their own 4-yard line.
Minter said it was a point of emphasis to keep Brown on the Ravens' staff.
"To me, that was really important and I think he's done a great job with those guys," Minter said. "I thought (Eckley and Loop) performed really well on kickoffs, punts, directionals and flipping the field. I have a lot of confidence in Randy working with those guys."
