Ravens announce Week 2 inactives vs. Saints

Barring a surprise, Flowers will be a DNP when the team posts its first injury report of the week. Flowers missed Week 1 with the hamstring injury. Head coach Jesse Minter said earlier this week that he has “a good shot” at playing in Week 3, but a DNP today casts some doubt on his optimism. Rashod Bateman would be in line for another solid workload if Flowers remains out. Bateman caught seven passes for 88 yards and one score on Sunday.

Flowers is one of multiple injured players who Minter said could play in Week 3. Flowers missed Week 2’s game against the Saints after reaggravating his hamstring injury in Week 1 against the Colts, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity to close out the week. We’ll see how he fares this week when the Ravens release their first injury report, but it sounds like the star receiver is trending in the right direction. In addition to Flowers, Minter also said DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and LB Teddye Buchanan (knee) could also return agains the Cowboys.

The team pulled the plug on Flowers’ potential to play in Week 2 after the veteran receiver departed the team’s Week 1 win with a hamstring injury. No word yet on how long the injury is expected to sideline Flowers, who appears to have a good shot at suiting up when the team faces off against the Cowboys on the road in Week 3. Tight end Mark Andrews could see a slight uptick in volume in the interim.

Flowers entered the season at the tail end of a rehab program for the hamstring strain he suffered on August 31st. He logged two full practice sessions before dominating the Colts early on in Week 1. Unfortunately, Flowers balled too hard, aggravating the hamstring injury in the process. He is unlikely to play this week, but his return to practice today is a great sign for his Week 3 availability. The Ravens placed WR Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist) on injured reserve this week. This means WRs Rashod Bateman, Elijah Sarratt and Devontez Walker could be asked to step up, although TE Mark Andrews will probably serve as the team’s top pass-catching option.

Flowers missed back-to-back practices to start the week, but his return on Friday is an encouraging sign for him entering the weekend. The Ravens will release their final injury report shortly, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Flowers drew a questionable tag and was viewed as a game-day decision after the Ravens have a chance to look at him in warmups. We will provide an update on his status when we learn more.

Early reports regarding Flowers’ health and Week 2 availability were positive, but two missed practices put him firmly in the questionable camp, with a lean toward sitting. Flowers and TE Mark Andrews banked six targets apiece last week and were the only Ravens who cleared three. With WR Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist) on injured reserve, Andrews should handle another sizable workload. Ravens WRs Elijah Sarratt and Devontez Walker should both be active if Flowers sits.

It’s possible Flowers gets in some light work after the media portion of the practice, but this should go down as a DNP. Flowers left the Ravens’ Week 1 win over the Colts in the first half. He already had 150 yards and a touchdown to his name. The hamstring issue isn’t believed to be serious, but the team may want to take a cautious approach and hold him out for a week. With Ja’Kobi Lane out because of a broken wrist, Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews would be the top targets for Lamar Jackson if Flowers is also sidelined.

Flowers will have an MRI to confirm the exact severity of his injury, but according to Rapoport, sources familiar with the situation said Flowers likely would have returned to the field if it were a playoff game. The Ravens held a 31-13 lead over the Colts at halftime, thanks in large part to Flowers’ 5-150-1 line in the first half. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Flowers is considered day-to-day at this time, meaning he could have a good shot at suiting up for Week 2 against the Saints.

Garafolo’s colleague, Ian Rapoport, adds that Lane will be sidelined for “several weeks.” This is an unfortunate development for both the player and the team. Fellow Ravens WR Zay Flowers aggravated the hamstring injury he recently rehabbed as well. Expect rookie WR Elijah Sarratt to be active in Week 2 against the Saints.

Florio adds that Flowers is currently considered questionable to play in Week 2 against the Saints. The Ravens’ No. 1 wide receiver “tweaked” the same hamstring that he spent the last two weeks rehabbing. He caught 5-of-6 targets for 150 yards and one touchdown before exiting today, thriving in OC Declan Doyle’s new scheme. Hopefully, Flowers can make a quick, successful recovery and return to form before long.