/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67338836/usa_today_14767835.0.jpg)
Earlier today, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke with the media and informed them that rookie DT Justin Madubuike suffered an injury that may sideline him for a few weeks.
“It’s not that kind of an injury,” Harbaugh said. ““It’ll be a little bit but it’s nothing close to season-ending, it won’t even be multiple weeks during the season. He got caught up in a little pile. I’d say he’s a little more than ‘day-to-day,’ maybe ‘week-to-week’ here for a couple weeks and we’ll just see where he’s at.”
With the Ravens set to host the Cleveland Browns in 12 days, it’s likely the Ravens won’t Madubuike won’t be on the playing field come Sept. 13.
According to reports, Madubuike looked good in camp and even earned the praise of DE Derek Wolfe.
“Oh, the kid can play,” Wolfe said. He’s going to be a good football player, man. He’s a great rookie. He’s strong, he’s tough, physical. He wants to be good. He listens, he writes down everything. That’s all you can ask for. He’s always asking questions, always trying to get better. I think that kid is going to be a really good football player.
From a roster perspective, the Ravens can manage with the short-term loss of Madubuike as the Ravens boast significant depth at defensive line. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta made multiple moves in the 2019 offseason to acquire more talent along the defensive line, such as Wolfe and Calais Campbell. He also drafted two defensive lineman, Madubuike and Broderick Washington, while also re-signing Justin Ellis and Jihad Ward.
This depth at defensive line means Madubuike won’t be rushed back from injury as the team can afford to let him heal up and prepare for the long season ahead.