After a two-week absence that had everyone holding their breath, wide receiver Zay Flowers finally returned to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice field on Thursday. This isn’t just a casual return, either; his presence is a massive relief, especially with Week 1 of the regular season staring down the team just over a week away. Seriously, the timing could not be more critical for a guy who’s expected to be a major playmaker right out of the gate.
The Clock Is Ticking for Week 1
Flowers has been sidelined for a full two weeks now, nursing an undisclosed injury that’s definitely kept the coaching staff on edge. Head coach Jesse Minter hasn’t been shy about it either: the absolute, number-one priority has been making sure Flowers is game-ready and firing on all cylinders for that opening matchup against the Colts. Think about it: they’ve got just a little over a week until kick-off. That’s not a ton of time to shake off two weeks of rust and get back into full game shape, especially for a key offensive weapon. Getting him back on the field, even if it’s been limited or just for some individual drills, is a huge step in the right direction. It says they believe he can hit the ground running when it truly matters. Every single rep, every single practice drill from here until game day, is absolutely crucial for Flowers to be at his best. You know the pressure is on for him to perform, and for the trainers to get him there.
Rough Start After a Big Payday
And let’s be real, this isn’t the first time Flowers has been a bit dinged up this summer. He also had to deal with a quad contusion earlier in August, which meant more missed time. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for him in what started out as a massive month, financially speaking, after he inked a sweet four-year extension right at the beginning of August. So, to have these injury setbacks, one right after the other, right after locking in that big deal? Yeah, that’s definitely not ideal. It takes away valuable reps and chemistry-building time. But hey, it wasn’t all bad news for the Ravens on Thursday. The word from practice was that wideout Devontez Walker was the only player who didn’t participate. That’s a good sign for overall team health and availability as they push toward the regular season opener. Having most of your squad out there is always a win, especially this close to Week 1.
So, with that crucial Colts game looming just a little over a week away, every single practice rep, every drill, every walkthrough for Zay Flowers is going to be absolutely critical. Can he get back to 100% and be the dynamic weapon the Ravens need him to be for Week 1? All eyes are on him now, watching how he progresses in these final days. It’s go time, and the Ravens need their big-money receiver healthy and ready.
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.
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