In a setback for the Baltimore Ravens, the team announced Saturday that standout wide receiver Zay Flowers will be listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The decision follows a hamstring injury that first surfaced during the season‑opening win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Injury details and recent performance
Flowers, 26, suffered the strain in the opening 41‑23 victory over the Colts, a game in which he hauled in five receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown. The two‑time Pro Bowler missed practice on Thursday and Friday, returning only for limited drills on Friday before the team downgraded his status from doubtful to questionable.
Impact on the Ravens’ offense
Flowers has been a key component of Baltimore’s passing attack, posting back‑to‑back 1,000‑yard seasons. Last season he set career highs with 86 catches and 1,211 receiving yards over 17 games. His absence will force the Ravens to rely more heavily on other weapons, including veteran Marquise Brown and emerging talent Rashod Bateman, as they prepare to face a Saints defense that has shown resilience this year.
Roster moves surrounding the injury
While dealing with Flowers’ situation, the Ravens also made a couple of roster adjustments on Saturday. Linebacker Carl Jones Jr. was signed from the practice squad to add depth on defense, and cornerback T.J. Tampa was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury.
What’s next for the team
Head coach John Harbaugh and his staff will evaluate Flowers’ hamstring during the week leading up to the game. If the injury lingers, the Ravens may need to adjust their game plan, emphasizing the run game and short‑pass concepts to compensate for the loss of their deep‑threat receiver.
Looking ahead
The Ravens remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, and every game carries weight in the tightly contested AFC North. While the Saints present a formidable opponent, Baltimore’s ability to adapt without Flowers will be a test of the coaching staff’s flexibility and the depth of the roster.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
