3 Ravens players most impacted by Lamar Jackson skipping OTAs
By Kristen Wong
Ravens Player No. 2: Rashod Bateman
This is the year for Rashod Bateman to shine, but he can’t very well do that without Lamar Jackson.
Bateman missed the first five games of 2021 due to injury and in doing so, missed out on precious time to generate chemistry with Jackson. The two never really got on the same page last season but they have a chance to become a star QB-WR duo in 2022 — as long as both remain on the field.
The 2021 first-rounder recorded 46 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown with a catch rate of 67.6 percent. Bateman produced solid numbers in Year 1, but most of it was working with Huntley instead of Jackson.
Both Bateman and Jackson will need to lean on each other to put together an impressive comeback season, and that starts with playing together on the field.
WR @R_bateman2 had the play of the day in today’s OTA practice. He brought down a deep TD pass in traffic over the middle from @_SNOOP1.
— Garrett Downing (@gdowning14) June 1, 2022
Star duos aren’t made in a day, and the earlier Jackson returns to practice the better for all offensive players, Bateman included.
Compared to his wideout peers, Bateman carries the most upside heading into 2022 and can’t risk another injury-plagued middling season. Jackson’s absence arguably hurts Bateman the most, but there’s not much Bateman can do other than get in reps with Huntley and focus on improving his skills sans Jackson.