Baltimore Ravens Face Receiver Injury Concerns After Opening Win

Flowers and Lane Hurt in Opener

The Baltimore Ravens started their season with a 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, but the win came at a cost. Two of the team's top wide receivers, Zay Flowers and Ja'Kobi Lane, suffered injuries during the game and could not play in the second half.

Flowers, who is quarterback Lamar Jackson's favorite target, aggravated his left hamstring with about five minutes and a half left in the first half. Before his injury, Flowers had an outstanding game, recording 150 receiving yards in the first half alone. He remained suited up on the sideline during the second half, pacing with a slight limp.

Coach Jesse Minter described Flowers as day to day. Flowers previously injured the same hamstring on August 20 during practice and missed two weeks before returning to practice. "I feel pretty good about where that's at," Minter said. "We'll see how the week goes though there." The coach added that they want to make sure it is not an injury Flowers has to manage for 17 or 18 weeks. Flowers has been durable, missing only three games in his four year career.

Lane Facing Longer Layoff

Rookie third round pick Ja'Kobi Lane faces a much longer spell on the sidelines. The young receiver injured his wrist in the first half and did not return. Reports suggest the initial diagnosis is a fractured wrist. Lane finished the game with one catch for 11 yards, and had a four yard touchdown ruled out due to a penalty.

"We're getting some more things looked at right now and talking to different people," Minter said regarding Lane's wrist injury.

With both players injured, the Ravens have very few healthy options at wide receiver. Only LaJohntay Wester, who mostly returns punts, and rookie Elijah Sarratt are fully fit on the active roster. Devontez Walker is dealing with a groin injury, while Chris Moore was promoted from the practice squad for the game and caught a 53 yard pass.

Minter said they might look at signing a free agent receiver this week, but it also gives Walker and Sarratt a chance to play. "I've got a lot of confidence in those guys," Minter said. "Those guys have had a ton of reps within our offense. And then we'll look at all options obviously to figure out what's best."