As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for their Divisional Round clash against the Buffalo Bills, all eyes remain on wide receiver Zay Flowers. The Pro Bowler, who led the team with 1,059 receiving yards, hasn’t practiced since suffering a knee injury in the regular-season finale, and his absence paints a grim picture for Sunday night.
Thursday marked Flowers’ fifth consecutive missed practice, and with time running out, it looks like a long shot for the second-year star to suit up against Buffalo. The Ravens practiced indoors with doors open due to frozen outdoor fields, but Flowers was notably absent.
Head Coach John Harbaugh has maintained Flowers could play without practicing, but that scenario is looking more unlikely by the day. Aside from Flowers, however, the Ravens had full attendance at practice—a silver lining as they prepare for their toughest test yet this postseason.
Updated Divisional Round injury report signals trouble for Zay Flowers
The Ravens unveiled their updated injury report on Thursday, with Zay Flowers’ name unsurprisingly taking center stage.
Did Not Participate (DNP):
- WR Zay Flowers (knee): Flowers was the only Ravens player not seen at practice for the second straight day.
Baltimore’s offense didn’t miss a beat in last week’s Wild Card win over the Steelers, with the Ravens leaning on their league-best rushing attack to rack up 299 yards on the ground. But replicating that success against Buffalo’s much-improved defense without Flowers is a daunting task.
Without Flowers, the Ravens’ passing attack will once again lean on Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and Tylan Wallace. Tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely remain reliable targets, but the ceiling of Baltimore’s offense takes a hit without its most dynamic receiver.
The Ravens have proven their resilience time and again this season. Todd Monken’s offense, built around Jackson’s dual-threat brilliance and Henry’s punishing ground game, still gives Baltimore the tools to compete at a high level. The offensive line, anchored by Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley, will be crucial in creating opportunities for Jackson and Henry against Buffalo’s formidable front seven.
On the other side of the ball, Baltimore’s defense has been the NFL’s best since Week 11. Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, and Marlon Humphrey lead a unit that thrives in high-pressure situations, and they’ll need to be at their best to contain Josh Allen and the Bills’ potent offense.
Buffalo has found its stride offensively with Allen and James Cook leading the way, making Flowers’ potential absence all the more significant.
For now, Ravens fans can only hope for positive news regarding Flowers. Harbaugh has left the door literally open, but as the days tick by, the likelihood of a miraculous recovery diminishes. Whether or not Flowers plays, the Ravens are ready for a heavyweight fight in Orchard Park. This team has thrived on adversity all season, and they won’t let a setback like this derail their Super Bowl dreams.