Zay Flowers injury update as Baltimore Ravens WR battles knee problem ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game
The injury status of standout wide receiver Zay Flowers for the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff game this weekend has been made public.
On Saturday night, head coach John Harbaugh’s Ravens will play the Pittsburgh Steelers, their adversary, in a wild-card game.
Flowers sustained a knee injury last weekend while playing for Baltimore against the Cleveland Browns in the regular-season finale.
Harbaugh informed reporters on Thursday that Flowers would not be playing in the playoffs.
Harbaugh, 62, stated, “We still have a lot of weapons and Lamar will distribute the ball as he sees fit.”
In the Week 18 victory, Flowers was struck in the knee as he was sliding to the ground.
Read More on NFL
ESPN viewers fume at controversial national anthem before Browns-Ravens game
NFL makes punishment decision after Ravens star cited for ‘taunting’
Flowers was listed as day-to-day at the start of the week due to a potentially more serious injury, but he did not take part in any Ravens practices prior to Harbaugh’s announcement.
Flowers was the team’s top receiver in his second season, hauling in 74 passes for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns.
He was chosen for the Pro Bowl, making him Baltimore’s first-ever wide receiver.
Flowers, who caught five catches for a game-high 100 yards in the Ravens’ 34-17 victory against the Steelers in Week 16, will be missed.
In the passing game, the team will look to rookie Devontez Walker, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor to replace two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Baltimore is fortunate to have tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews, who scored a career-high 11 touchdowns in 2024.
Not to be overlooked is superstar running back Derrick Henry, who leads the competition with 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
With 915 rushing yards, 41 total touchdowns, and four interceptions, Jackson has a strong chance of winning his third MVP award.
The 28-year-old won the AFC North division title and guided the Ravens to an 11-6 record.
Jackson would become the only player to win MVP twice, joining NFL greats Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Jim Brown.
NFL Wild Card Weekend schedule
January 11th, Saturday:
- No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans, 4:30 pm ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens, 8:00 pm ET (Prime Video)
January 12th, Sunday:
- No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills, 1:00 pm ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 pm ET (Fox, Fox Deportes)
- No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, Peacock, Universo)
January 13th, Monday:
- No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams, 8:00 pm ET (ESPN, ABC)
On Saturday, Baltimore will meet the Steelers, captained by Mike Tomlin, at M&T Bank Stadium.
Pittsburgh started the season 10-3 and is currently on a four-game losing streak.
Read More on The US Sun
Hear moment Trump is sentenced and judge’s final remark after historic ruling
Dunkin’ employee leaks new winter menu ahead of February release date
They haven’t won a postseason game since 2016 after fumbling a two-game division lead.
Amazon Prime Video will take off at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.