Zay Flowers was back on the practice field with the Ravens on Wednesday, a welcome sight after he missed an extended period last week. Everyone was probably breathing a sigh of relief, right? Not so fast. The dynamic wide receiver was still listed as a limited participant, battling a nagging hamstring injury. It’s September 9th, early in the NFL season, and you never want to see a playmaker like Flowers dealing with this kind of stuff when games count.
Flowers’ Hamstring Has Everyone Watching the Clock
Reporters watching the session saw Flowers working with a trainer early on, which is never the ideal scenario for a guy you want running full speed on Sundays. He did manage to get into position drills before practice wrapped up, which is a positive step. When he spoke in the locker room, he told multiple reporters he’s feeling well, and hey, we all want to believe him! But for the Ravens and their fans, the real test is seeing him move up to full participation over the next couple of days. That’s the key sign for his actual availability against the Colts this coming Sunday. Losing him or having him at less than 100% would be a major blow to the early-season offensive rhythm.
Defensive Leaders Still Limited, Raising Early Concerns
It’s not just the offense that’s got some question marks heading into the weekend. The defensive side of the ball is also facing some early hurdles. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, a crucial piece up front, was also a limited participant in practice, dealing with a neck injury. And linebacker Teddye Buchanan? He’s also limited with a knee issue. The really tough part here is that both Madubuike and Buchanan are fighting their way back from season-ending injuries they picked up last year in 2025. You just hate to see key defensive starters having a slow ramp-up after such serious setbacks. Then there’s wide receiver Devontez Walker, also listed as limited with a groin injury. While not as high-profile as Flowers or the returning defensive vets, it just adds to the list of players who aren’t quite 100% when the team needs them most.
So, as the Ravens gear up for their Sunday matchup against the Colts, all eyes are going to be on that final injury report. Can Flowers get cleared for full participation? Will Madubuike and Buchanan be ready to make a significant impact after their long layoffs? Early season form is everything, and having your key players healthy and ready to roll is non-negotiable. This squad needs its playmakers on the field, especially when trying to set the tone for the entire season. Fingers crossed we see some good news soon, because every snap counts right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply