The Baltimore Ravens received the worst possible injury update regarding wide receiver Rashod Bateman on Thursday when head coach John Harbaugh spoke to the media.
Harbaugh told reporters that Bateman would undergo Lisfranc surgery on his foot and was set to miss the remainder of the 2022 season. For a Ravens team that has struggled to find consistent production at the wide receiver position, this is obviously a significant blow.
The Ravens went into the year with Bateman as the designated WR1 and very little proven depth behind him. And while Devin Duvernay has exceeded expectations and players like Demarcus Robinson and James Proche have had their moments, it’s hard to feel optimistic about the state of the position group.
Duvernay, Robinson, and Proche are joined by former fourth-round pick Tylan Wallace and practice squad members DeSean Jackson, Andy Isabella, and Binjimen Victor. Jackson is expected to take Bateman’s place on the active roster.
The Ravens have a wide receiver problem after Rashod Bateman’s injury
Bateman’s injury puts the Ravens in a difficult predicament with no favorable way to improve their situation. The trade deadline has passed and the remaining options on the free-agent market are either injured or free agents for a reason.
Perhaps Odell Beckham Jr. can offer some salvation, but even he might not be ready to play until December — and that’s if the Ravens can even sign him.
The Ravens need wide receiver help and there’s no feasible way to acquire wide receiver help. That means they’ll likely just be forced to rely on the guys on their roster.
Duvernay has taken a step forward this season and maximized his opportunities, but can he continue to produce as the team’s top wideout? That much remains to be seen.
Expect the Ravens to lean even more on their tight ends with someone like Isaiah Likely possibly in line to see more snaps, potentially even at wide receiver.
Likely has proven that he deserves a role in this offense, so even when Mark Andrews is healthy, he should remain in the offensive game plan.
There’s no underselling this injury, the Ravens are going to miss Rashod Bateman. It’s up to the remaining wide receivers on the roster to step up in his absence.