The Baltimore Ravens were hit by several injuries in their Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Among them was rookie wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. He left the game with a wrist injury, and according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the initial diagnosis suggests Lane suffered a fractured wrist and may miss several weeks.
This changes the game for Baltimore. Lane was slated as their WR3 and got some attention before leaving the game, catching one of three targets for 11 yards. The team needs someone to step into that void.
Who will it be, though? The Ravens have options, but it’s mostly unproven depth.
Ja’Kobi Lane injury places Baltimore Ravens in a tough spot
To be clear, losing Ja’Kobi Lane doesn’t create an urgent problem…at least right now. He was starting his Baltimore career as the WR3 on a run-heavy team. That's not a huge role.
However, after an electric training camp and preseason, the signs of an early breakout were there. He even caught what should’ve been a touchdown in his debut, if not for a holding call on Jovaughn Gwyn bringing it back.
It still creates a need, though. The Ravens already had some uncertainty at wide receiver behind Zay Flowers. And in Sunday’s win, LaJohntay Wester was the only other wide receiver with multiple receptions. Someone needs to step up.
Things could get even worse if Flowers is out for any amount of time, too. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1, an issue he’s been dealing with since training camp. Clearly, Baltimore’s wide receiver depth is already being tested.
Next options on Ravens depth chart
Whoever steps into Lane’s place needs to contribute. It can’t be a one-man-band out there with Flowers as the vocalist, guitarist, and drummer.
Realistically, Rashod Bateman should be stepping into the spotlight. He’s the WR2, and now, he’ll see more looks. He desperately needs to shake his dreadful season debut this past weekend, where he totaled 0 receptions.
Stepping into Lane’s spot on the depth chart, though, could be Devontez Walker or Chris Moore.
Walker brings the explosiveness. Four of his seven career receptions have gone for touchdowns. He missed Sunday’s game with a groin injury, but after being limited all week, he should be trending in the right direction heading into Week 2.
Then there’s Moore. He made a huge impact as a kick returner, and even shined with Flowers and Lane off the field—his 53-yard reception was Baltimore’s second-longest play of the game. The veteran wideout will likely find a spot on the 53-man roster with Lane out, and if he keeps playing like he is, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will be forced to give him more offensive snaps.
If you’re looking for someone to replace Lane’s physicality, Moore is probably the better fit there, too. He puts the work in as a blocker, and actually, that’s something both he and Lane did downfield that led to huge touchdowns in Indianapolis.
Lane had a key block on Flowers’ 54-yard touchdown, and Moore paved the way for Derrick Henry on a 32-yard mad dash to the end zone.
The Ravens have questions facing their wide receiver room, and while the passing attack looked lethal against the Colts, the equation will change in the coming month or two. They’ll have to reshuffle the depth chart with Lane out.
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