OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens now believe center Danny Pinter is out for the season and are unsure whether Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will be ready for the start of the regular season.
Pinter was closing in on winning a starting job for the first time in his six-year NFL career before injuring his right leg during Wednesday's joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported that Pinter tore his right patella tendon.
The Ravens initially indicated Pinter would be out for an extended period.
"It's looking like a season-ending thing," Minter said after Monday's practice. "My heart's out to him. But I know he'll work through this and come back from it [knowing] the type of guy that he is."
With Pinter out, the Ravens' starting center competition comes down to Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic. Gwyn started Saturday's preseason game in Minnesota and worked with the first team Monday, but he hasn't started a game in his three-year NFL career.
Pocic, who is the most experienced center on the roster, has to prove he has fully recovered from a torn Achilles that he suffered eight months ago.
Minter said Pocic will get snaps with the first team this week. Pocic has been working with the second and third teams this summer.
"I think he's really asserted himself into that competition," Minter said.
The other major question surrounding the Ravens is the status of Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowl defender who missed the final 15 games last season due to a neck injury. He underwent neck surgery in April.
Madubuike was activated off the physically unable to perform list on the first day of training camp on July 29. He ramped up his work off to the side on Monday, but he has yet to participate in team drills.
Asked if there is enough time for Madubuike to get ready for the Sept. 13 opener at the Indianapolis Colts, Minter said: "I don't know if I got a definitive answer for that. I think every day is like, 'How did today go? What more can we maybe do?' So, I don't know the answer to that right now. We'll continue to look for that and see where that's at. But again, we feel really good about him being in a good position to help us."