Ravens fans aren’t exactly hiding how they feel about the receiver situation.
With Baltimore dealing with injuries to Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane, the question was simple: should the team add a free-agent wideout right now?
Flowers is listed as “day-to-day” because of a hamstring injury, according to coach Jesse Minter. Lane, meanwhile, was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games after surgery on his fractured wrist.
The response from readers leaned toward wanting more help, and plenty of names came up.
Some wanted Baltimore to stay internal. Ken Wiskman pointed to Elijah Sarratt, who is already on the 53, and said the team should activate him this week for Lane.
He added that if Flowers can’t play, Baltimore could lean on more two-tight-end sets and heavier formations, especially after the way Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions ran all over the Saints. Wiskman also noted that Tyler Shough has “some decent weapons at his disposal,” which could help keep the Saints’ offense off the field.
Others immediately jumped to bigger-name options. Oscar Mayer said, “I’m going to jump on the Tyreek Hill bandwagon.” Jeffrey Oliver echoed the splashy route, saying, “Hill or bring back D-Hop [DeAndre Hopkins] and utilize him the way he’s supposed to be utilized.”
A few readers suggested more realistic veteran fits. Austin Burch floated Tyler Lockett, calling him a Baltimore Ravens “1-year wonder” at age 33.
R.C. Caterisano asked, “Brandin Cooks to the practice squad?”
Jer Ostberg offered another veteran possibility: “Okay, so hear me out, Tyler Boyd.”
There were also calls to keep developing the young receivers already in the building. Dominique James suggested Adam Randall, noting that he played receiver most of his college career and should be put back there until everyone is healthy. James Howell wrote that it was time to see what Tez Walker and #17 Moore can do, and said he would sit Flowers next week just to make sure the hamstring doesn’t turn into a season-long problem.
Brian Dotson looked at the bigger picture and said that if Sunday were Week 1 of the playoffs, a receiver group led by Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker against a playoff-caliber defense wouldn’t be enough to rule out adding an insurance receiver.
Bobby Carter kept it simple: “This is what I was talking about in July when I said I hope we can stay healthy.”
Diane OConnor also pushed for a move from within, saying the team should bring up Chris Moore from the practice squad. She pointed to his special teams value and said he “made a really great catch from Lamar.”
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Ravens Formula Is Working Early But Week 2 Brings One Big Test
The early returns in Baltimore have pointed to a team that looks unusually synchronized for September, with rookie head coach Jesse Minter and rookie offensive coordinator Declan Doyle already building a clear identity. The Ravens want to live on explosive plays on offense and take them away on defense, and that approach has shown up in the way Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers have helped stretch the field while the defense works to limit the same kind of game-changing snaps on the other side.
Week 2, though, offers a sharper read on how sturdy that formula really is, especially with Flowers dealing with a hamstring injury that could alter the offenses margin for error. Baltimores strong early ranking in explosive play differential suggests the plan is working, but the next test is whether the Ravens can keep creating separation if one of their most dangerous weapons is not fully available. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Suddenly Have A Receiver Problem Before The Home Opener
The receiver room took an early hit in the opener when rookie JaKobi Lane fractured his wrist and had surgery, pushing him onto injured reserve for at least four games. Baltimore moved quickly to patch the roster by promoting veteran Chris Moore, while head coach Jesse Minter said the team wants Lane back as soon as possible once he is healthy enough to return.
The bigger concern for the Ravens is that Lanes absence comes with Zay Flowers still day-to-day because of a hamstring injury, leaving the passing game a little thinner than anyone would have liked this early in the season. Baltimore can manage that for a stretch, but the home opener now carries a little more pressure on the rest of the wideouts to stabilize the offense while the team waits on two key pieces to get right. [Read more 🡒]
Tavius Robinson Might Be Giving Ravens Defense What It Was Missing
Tavius Robinson gave the Ravens a notable lift in Week 1, and it came at exactly the right time for a defense looking to look sharper up front. Baltimores defensive line showed real improvement against Indianapolis, with Robinson finishing with seven pressures and a sack as the Ravens helped hold the Colts to 149 passing yards and only two plays over 25 yards.
The bigger question now is whether this was a strong opening statement or the start of something more sustainable. Baltimore posted a league-best 52.9% pressure rate, Jesse Minter praised Robinsons performance, and the defense should have more pieces coming back from injury while the coaching staff keeps tweaking things, which gives the Ravens a chance to build on what looked missing a year ago. [Read more 🡒]