Baltimore’s passing game is walking into Week 2 with a major question mark, and the answer looks like it won’t be in uniform.
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints after leaving Week 1 with a hamstring injury. Flowers had already put together a huge first half against the Indianapolis Colts, catching five passes for 150 yards and a touchdown before going down and missing the rest of the game. He also sat out practice time early this week.
The Ravens are already dealing with a thinner receiver room after rookie Ja’Kobi Lane suffered a wrist injury in Week 1. That makes Flowers’ status even more important, since he was the most explosive pass-catching option in the offense last season, finishing 2025 with 86 receptions for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games.
There was at least some optimism that Flowers might have been available under different circumstances. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that Flowers may have returned against Indianapolis if the game were in the playoffs. Baltimore, though, has no interest in pushing its top wideout this early in the year, especially with Super Bowl expectations hanging over the 2026 season.
From a betting standpoint, the injury nudges Baltimore even further toward a ground-heavy approach. The Ravens are second in Super Bowl odds at DraftKings Sportsbook and are heavily favored against New Orleans, but Flowers’ likely absence changes the shape of the offense.
That puts even more attention on Derrick Henry, who looked every bit like a centerpiece in Week 1. The veteran back ran 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts, while adding a 19-yard catch. At 32, he’s still carrying real force, and the matchup sets up well again.
New Orleans had trouble stopping the run in its opener, giving up 156 yards and two rushing touchdowns to Jahmyr Gibbs on 29 carries. The Saints also finished 20th in the league in EPA/Rush in Week 1. With Lane sidelined and Flowers nursing the hamstring issue, Baltimore could lean even harder on Henry in Week 2, with about 20 carries once again in play.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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