To be clear, neck injuries are nothing to take lightly, and that is exactly why the Baltimore Ravens are keeping defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike out of Week 1. Madubuike's absence should give the Indianapolis Colts and, especially, Jonathan Taylor a huge advantage.
Maduibike was limited to just two games in 2025 after hurting his neck, an injury that required surgery in April 2026. Colts fans saw DeForest Buckner suffer his own neck injury last year, and while he came back to play part of one game, an NFL player can suffer life-altering effects from such ailments. No one should wish them as human beings ill will, of course.
As far as their importance as football players, both are elite. The Colts are better if Buckner is able to play. The Ravens are better if Madubuike can play. He won't be in Week 1.
Indianapolis Colts will face a Ravens team without Nnamdi Madubuike
The depth behind him is iffy. Travis Jones and Calais Campbell are good, but after them, Baltimore has to be concerned. Even with Jones and Campbell, the Indianapolis offensive line should be the better side of the ball, especially with no Maduibike.
Head coach Shane Steichen's offense is built on versatility. He isn't the kind of coach who simply wants to throw the ball 80 percent of the time. He is smart enough to know that using his best players gives the team its best chance to succeed, and one of those best players is Jonathan Taylor, of course.
But those players also include future Pro Football Hall of Famer (and left guard) Quenton Nelson. Center Tanor Bortolini is good too. Both would be tasked with trying to move Madubuike out of the way, and now their task should be easier.
No longer will they be blocked by the two-time Pro Bowler who had 13 sacks in 2023 and double-digit tackles for loss that season and in 2025. He has evolved into a terrific player and is among the best in the league. He just won't be playing against the Colts.
To be successful, the Indianapolis Colts need a versatile attack that allows Daniel Jones time to be an efficient quarterback, who many times would rather move the chains than take chances down the field, and Taylor to run the ball well. Fans watched in sadness with what happened to Taylor after Jones was hurt in Week 14 last year, and defenses could key in on Taylor only.
Fans should definitely hope that once Nnamdi Madubuike returns, he stays healthy and doesn't make his neck issue worse, just as one wouldn't want DeForest Buckner to hurt his neck again, but in terms of football, the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor (and yes, Quenton Nelson) should have an easier time against the Ravens without Madubuike involved.
Add us as a preferred source on Google