The Baltimore Ravens have downgraded the status of Zay Flowers for Week 2 and placed cornerback T.J. Tampa on IR.
The Baltimore Ravens have officially announced that wide receiver Zay Flowers has been downgraded to out for Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Additionally, cornerback T.J. Tampa has been placed on IR.
Flowers was dealing with a hamstring injury leading up to Week 1, but he managed to heal enough to play in the game. After posting a career-high 150 receiving yards, he was pulled from the game.
It was announced to be a hamstring injury that was till bothering Flowers, and now it appears the nagging injury has led to his having to miss the Saints matchup.
Flowers missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, and his status was doubtful for the game. Now, the team has chosen not to let him play.
It makes sense that Flowers would be ruled out so that he can heal fully from the hamstring injury that has been bothering him. If left unchecked, hamstring injuries can sometimes last for multiple weeks and become worse with more strain and time.
Additionally, the Ravens have also placed Tampa on the injured reserve due to the knee injury that he suffered in Week 1. While head coach Jesse Minter had offered some hope that the young corner would not have to miss that much time, his knee injury is clearly significant.
To make up for the roster spots for the game, the team also announced that linebacker Carl Jones has been added to the 53-man roster to take the spot vacated by Tampa.
Baltimore has also elevated tackle Gerad Lichtenhan from the practice squad to the active roster for the game, though his elevation is a standard elevation and not a permanent addition to the 53-man roster.
With Flowers being ruled out, the Ravens have now lost two receivers since Week 1, as rookie pass catcher Ja'Kobi Lane was also added to the IR after undergoing wrist surgery. There is hope that he will heal in time to return following his IR stint.
Now, the wide receiver room will be led by Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore, and Devontez Walker, and will have support from LaJohntay Wester and Elijah Sarratt.
Joining Flowers as out are defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan, who both remain out as they continue to ramp up from season-ending injuries.
Following a strong Week 1, the Ravens are looking to move to 2-0 on the season against the Saints.
Sunday's game is also the home opener for Baltimore, so there is an expectation that the home crowd will give the team plenty of energy to pull off a second consecutive win to start the 2026 season.
