OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Zay Flowers, the wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, will not be participating in this weekend’s playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a knee injury sustained during the regular-season finale. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed the news, stating that Flowers will focus on recovery and preparation for potential future games. “Zay Flowers is not going to be able to make it to the game this week, so he’ll get started again next week,” Harbaugh noted. “We’ll move forward with the guys we have, and we’re excited about the options we have with the rest of the team.”
Flowers suffered the injury during the Ravens’ 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns last weekend, a game that secured the AFC North title for Baltimore. In his second NFL season, Flowers had impressive statistics with 74 receptions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. Although Harbaugh initially indicated that Flowers’ injury was not anticipated to be season-ending, the Ravens now aim to win their playoff game to create a pathway for his return.
“It’s going to be an opportunity. We’ll move guys around. Guys will play spots based on the game plan, and the ball will kind of go where it will go based on the way it unfolds, in terms of how they play us and kind of take what the defense gives you kind of opportunity,” Harbaugh explained. “We have a lot of weapons, and Lamar (Jackson) will distribute that thing the way he sees fit, play to play.”
The Ravens selected Flowers in the first round of the 2023 draft, and he quickly became known as an elusive and agile threat in the receiving game for quarterback Lamar Jackson. In Flowers’ absence, the Ravens still boast a strong receiving core, featuring two standout tight ends, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, along with wide receiver Rashod Bateman, who has made 45 receptions for 756 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
“We still have all of our plays,” Harbaugh remarked. “Guys will be doing them that we feel are best suited to do the different jobs in this game against the opponent we’re playing.” As of Thursday’s injury report, Flowers was the only Raven confirmed to be out for the game, while running back Justice Hill participated fully in practice after recovering from a concussion that sidelined him for the final two games of the regular season.
