Rashod Bateman didn't talk to Ravens reporters, went dark on social media

The Baltimore Ravens (3-2) dropped their divisional matchup on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) on Sunday and that surely was an inteded pun.

The Ravens as a whole dropped between four and eight passes depending on where you look for the data. There were some more blatant than others.

This one, by Rashod Bateman, was egregious.

First of all, and most obviously, that pass could have ended in a touchdown leading to a 14-0 lead barely into the second quarter.

Second, the game would have been put to rest at least with a 95% probability at the very least.

Third, Bateman was supposed to be this team's no. 1 wide receiver.

Fourth, Bateman is in fact the WR1 in the team's depth chart when everybody is available.

But Rashod Bateman seems to not take the ultimate leap toward the level most folks expected him to reach this season if not earlier in his career. Bateman keeps struggling with injuries and when called upon to make game-changing plays he keeps failing.

It's only five games and things might still change for the good, but that is getting closer to not being the case than the other way. And Bateman seems to know it.

As you can see in the screenshot above (h/t Kevin Oestreicher), Bateman straight deactivated his social media accounts following the 17-10 loss to Pittsburgh.

That's all he did postgame, mind you, as he also refused to talk to the media like his fellow Ravens did--instead leaving Acrisure Stadium sooner than any of his teammates. According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN, Bateman "declined to speak to reporters after the game."

Here is the full message sent to Hensley after the game after refusing to address the reporters attending the matchup face-to-face.

"I’ll put this game on me any day any time. Don’t have a problem with that at all. More frustrated with myself, as I should be. I love this team and I love this game. Everyone has a storm, some longer than others, some shorter than others. It’s all about how you recover and respond. And I will. I only owe anything to my teammates and this organization, so it’s best I focus on how to the best me for this team. Period. It’ll all click eventually and when it does it’ll be special. No matter what, I always appreciate the love and support. We all gonna bounce back, we always do!"

- Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

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Bateman finished Week 5 with one reception for eight yards on three targets. He has yet to be targeted more than three times in a single game and through the season he's only caught eight passes for 67 yards on 12 targets.

He said that he takes blame on the loss "any time," and that he "don't have a problem with that at all." That's cool, but something has to change if Bateman wants to help the Ravens win games.

Bateman has not scored a touchdown yet while missing one game with an injury. At least he was hopeful "we all gonna bounce back."