Zay Flowers is trending the right way heading into Week 1.
The Ravens upgraded their star wideout to full participation on Thursday, a welcome sight after he was listed as limited a day earlier with a hamstring injury. Flowers, 25, also dealt with a minor groin injury during training camp, but he was back on the field quickly, and this latest update should ease any worries about whether he’ll be ready to go.
Baltimore’s other injury designations didn’t change from Wednesday. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and wide receiver Devontez Walker all remained limited, with Buchanan dealing with a knee issue, Madubuike with a neck injury and Walker with a groin injury.
Indianapolis, meanwhile, had a busier Thursday report with five changes. Rookie safety A.J.
Haulcy, depth tight end Drew Ogletree and backup center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger all moved from limited to full participation. Quarterback Anthony Richardson was also listed as a full participant after dealing with an illness, while defensive tackle Grover Stewart did not practice because of rest.
The one steady note for the Colts was wide receiver Alec Pierce, who stayed limited as he continues working back to 100% with a heel issue. Head coach Shane Steichen said earlier in the week that he expects the 26-year-old to play Sunday. If Pierce can’t go, Indianapolis would lean on Keenan Allen and Josh Downs at receiver, with former Raven Laquon Treadwell moving into the No. 3 spot.
Allen and Downs didn’t exactly light it up in 2025, combining for just 6.4 yards per target on average. Even so, Allen still has the kind of route-running craft that can uncover holes in zone coverage, while Downs brings a real threat after the catch.
The Colts’ offense had been rolling before Daniel Jones’ injuries last season, including a 38-point, 401-yard performance against Jesse Minter’s Chargers defense. Pierce was a big part of that day with nine catches for 98 yards, which is why his availability could matter quite a bit on Sunday.
In Other News...
Derrick Henry Just Earned Rare Praise That Ravens Fans Will Love
Scott Hanson, the longtime host of NFL RedZone, recently put Derrick Henry in some pretty rare company, and it is the kind of recognition Ravens fans can appreciate. Hanson singled out Henry as one of the greatest red zone players of the NFL RedZone era, mentioning him in the same breath as Christian McCaffrey while pointing to the kind of scoring presence that has defined Henrys career.
For Baltimore, the praise lands because Henry has already been exactly what the team hoped for when the field gets tight and the end zone gets close. He sits among the all-time leaders in rushing touchdowns and remains a major part of the Ravens offense, a reminder that even as the league keeps changing, Henry is still one of the toughest finishes in football to stop. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Open Week 1 With A Huge Nnamdi Madubuike Concern
The Ravens are heading into Week 1 with a notable hole in the middle of their defense, as defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will not play against the Colts while he continues to work back from neck surgery. Madubuike has returned to practice, but he has not yet cleared the full week of work needed to be available for game action, leaving Baltimore to open the season without one of its most important interior defenders.
There is still optimism that Madubuikes absence will be short-lived, which gives the situation a different feel than a long-term setback. Baltimore is also monitoring linebacker Teddy Buchanan, who did not fully practice this week as he continues recovering from ACL surgery, so the first week of the season already brings a little extra uncertainty to a defense that expected to have more answers by now. [Read more 🡒]
Ravens Head To Indy With One Huge Week 1 Concern
A Baltimore opener always comes with a little extra texture, and this one is no exception. The Ravens head to Indianapolis with Jesse Minter in his first game as head coach, while the Colts bring in Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator, giving their staff a built-in familiarity with Baltimores roster and tendencies. It adds an early-season chess match to a matchup that already features big names in Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor, plus a Colts passing game that has to account for Alec Pierce.
The personnel picture also matters after how both teams handled the preseason and the final injury reports. Baltimore was careful with its starters, trying to balance readiness with restraint, and the status of one key defender has been a notable part of the week-long conversation. On the other sideline, Indianapolis enters with a few issues of its own, leaving just enough uncertainty to make Week 1 feel less like a clean reset and more like a test of which team can adapt fastest once the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]