Ravens will return two wide receivers to practice in Week 4
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with an almost unprecedented number of injuries to start the 2021 season. But reinforcements should be on the way soon.
And they could come as soon as Week 4.
Head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media on Monday and revealed that wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin will return to practice this week.
Both players were placed on the short-term injured reserve at the beginning of the season with injuries that sidelined them for much of the summer.
It’s unclear whether or not they will be able to play in this Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, but there’s a chance. And they’re well on their way to returning in the near future.
Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin will provide a boost to the Ravens receiving corps
Bateman missed a lot of the summer after impressing early on. He underwent groin surgery on August 13 and has been rehabbing ever since.
The Ravens have high expectations for their 2021 first-round pick as Bateman will look to come back and make the same type of impact that his fellow first-round draftee, Odafe Oweh, has made.
Whenever he’s able to get back on the field, Bateman should provide a sizable boost to a Ravens’ wide receiver corps that needs a route runner like him.
Marquise Brown should bounce back in Week 4. Sammy Watkins is fine. Devin Duvernay has made some plays. But the Ravens drafted Bateman for a reason — they wanted extra help at wide receiver.
As for Boykin, his role upon his return is a little less defined. Boykin actually found himself on the roster bubble in training camp following an injury-riddled summer and the emergence of James Proche.
The former third-round pick has a roster spot for now, but it will be interesting to see how many wide receivers the Ravens keep on the active roster. Once they both return, Baltimore will have seven active wide receivers.
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where they opt to keep all seven, although injuries could complicate matters. Nonetheless, Boykin will have a chance to make an impact if he sticks around.
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The reinforcements are coming for the Ravens. And they should be here very soon.