Zay Flowers’ fast start has become one of the biggest bright spots in Baltimore’s 3-1 opening, but the Ravens wideout is now working through more than one injury as Sunday night approaches.
Flowers entered Week 3 already managing a hamstring issue, and he has still managed to suit up in each of Baltimore’s last two games. On Wednesday, though, he showed up on the team’s official injury report with a new foot injury and was listed as a limited participant in practice.
For now, his status for Sunday night’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons remains up in the air as the Ravens try to move to 4-1.
Baltimore may already be dealing with a short-handed offense. Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and did not practice Wednesday. He is being viewed as unlikely to play, which would put Tyler Huntley in line to start.
That makes Flowers’ availability even more important. His connection with Jackson has been one of the NFL’s best through the first month of the season, and the numbers back it up: 18 catches, 352 yards and two touchdowns. His yardage total ranks eighth in the league, and he has clearly emerged as Jackson’s top option in the passing game.
If Flowers can’t go, Baltimore would likely need more from Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker, while Mark Andrews could also see an expanded role as the most proven pass-catcher on the field.
Even with the new foot issue, Flowers was on the practice field in some capacity Wednesday, and the Ravens still have a few days to see how he responds before kickoff. Jesse Minter’s team will be hoping he’s ready to play against an Atlanta squad that has won two straight and is carrying plenty of momentum.
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