Ravens: Rashod Bateman leaves practice early with muscle soreness

The Baltimore Ravens kicked off their second day of OTAs on Thursday as the voluntary offseason workouts are officially in full swing. Unfortunately, rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman left early with an apparent injury.

The 2021 first-round pick left the field about 40 minutes into practice, per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, before returning a little later.

The injury was undisclosed at the time and while it didn’t appear to be serious, it was nonetheless a cause for concern. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear to be anything more than simple muscle soreness.

Head coach John Harbaugh gave updates on a few injuries after practice and revealed that Bateman was removed for precautionary reasons and that “there is no injury.”

The Ravens have high hopes for Rashod Bateman in 2021

The Ravens will be counting on Bateman to step up in a huge way in 2021 with the rookie wideout expected to be a day one starter at wide receiver.

The 27th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Bateman enjoyed a stellar career at Minnesota and has looked the part since joining the team last month.

Bateman was one of the standouts of rookie minicamp and is looking to carry over that momentum into OTAs. Unfortunately, to do so, he’ll have to stay on the field.

The 21-year-old will be a part of a new-look receiving corps that also features free-agent signing Sammy Watkins and fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace.

They’ll, of course, be joined by the returning Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews who will each be looking to continue their recent success.

Bateman wasn’t the only Ravens player injured during Wednesday’s practice as undrafted defensive tackle Xavier Kelly was carted off with an apparent left leg injury. He did not return.

Kelly was picked up by the Ravens shortly following the 2021 NFL Draft as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas and he was expected to compete for a roster spot in a crowded defensive line rotation.

Baltimore will certainly be hoping to remain as healthy as possible this spring and summer, especially when it comes to their rookie class.

Fortunately, it appears as though Bateman is going to be just fine.