After missing his sixth straight practice in the past two weeks, Baltimore Ravens senior wide receiver Zay Flowers is doubtful he will play in the team’s AFC Divisional game Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. He was the only Ravens player absent from practice this week, although he was moving pretty well during an individual practice Friday.
The flowers’ status is no surprise. The 24-year-old hasn’t logged a practice since suffering a sprained right knee in the second quarter of Baltimore’s win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 18. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said a few days later that Flowers, a Pro Bowl selection this season, was “day to day” but that it still felt more like a game, so future opponents moved from time to prepare for the 1,000 yard receiver.
Harbaugh doubled down on his comments from earlier in the week on Friday, suggesting that Flowers “has a chance” to dress on Sunday. However, it always seemed doubtful that the Ravens would be comfortable against a guy who hasn’t been on the field in two weeks and doesn’t have his normal mobility in a game with these stakes and in conditions that should be freezing.
Get to work! @ZayFlowers pic.twitter.com/iwGUsLqGqs
– Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 17, 2025
The Ravens beat the Bills, 35-10, in Week 4, with Flowers catching just one ball (on two targets) for 10 yards. They overwhelmed the Bills, who were missing several key defensive starters, with their running game, totaling 271 yards on 34 carries. This seems to be the recipe for the Ravens once again, especially with the absence of Flowers. The Ravens will likely use their big packages often, with multiple tight ends and fullback Patrick Ricard.
While Rashod Bateman assumes the No. 1 receiver role in Flowers’ absence, Lamar Jackson is still likely to move the ball. Jackson only had 16 assists against the Steelers last week. However, seven different players had a reception and six different guys were targeted two or more times. No Flowers likely means more opportunities for Justice Hill out of the backfield and significant roles for tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in the passing game.
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(Photo: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
