The Baltimore Ravens might not be without their top wide receiver for long.
Zay Flowers was ruled out of the Ravens' season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts early in the fourth quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury. A report from ESPN and NFL Media's Ian Rapoport on Monday, Sept. 14 indicated that Flowers' injury is not considered to be long-term.
"He'll have an MRI, but if it was a playoff game, he likely would've returned," Rapoport wrote on social media site X.
Flowers, whom the Ravens inked to a four-year, $130 million extension in August, was off to an excellent start to the 2026 season. Prior to his injury, the 26-year-old recorded five passes for 150 yards – a single-game career high – and a touchdown.
Here's what to know about
Flowers' status after his Week 1 injury:
Zay Flowers injury update
The Ravens' top wide receiver departed his team's Week 1 game on Sept. 13 with a hamstring injury he sustained in the final minutes of the first half. Flowers grabbed at the back of his left leg after Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner tackled the wideout on his final catch of the day. Flowers was ruled out of the game in the fourth quarter.
One day later, Baltimore appears unconcerned that Flowers' injury is a significant ailment. According to Rapoport, Flowers is "considered day-to-day" before getting an MRI on his injured hamstring.
The former first-round pick had been dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp. Flowers sustained the injury during joint practices with the Vikings ahead of the two teams' second preseason game, according to Ravens editorial director Ryan Mink. The wideout returned to practice on Sept. 3 and did not have an injury designation for the Week 1 clash with the Colts.
Ravens WR depth chart
- Zay Flowers (questionable – hamstring)
- Rashod Bateman
- Ja'Kobi Lane (doubtful – wrist)
- Devontez Walker (out – groin)
- Chris Moore
- Elijah Sarratt
- LaJohntay Wester
Baltimore's wide receivers room is banged up heading into Week 2.
Flowers is day-to-day with his hamstring injury and could be back by next week barring the revelation of a more severe injury from his imaging or any setbacks. Conversely, rookie standout Ja'Kobi Lane could miss some time. The Southern California product was ruled out of Week 1's game with a wrist injury, and NFL Media's Mike Garafolo reported that the early diagnosis was a wrist fracture.
Meanwhile, Devontez Walker already missed Week 1 with a groin injury. Rookie Elijah Sarratt was a healthy scratch against the Colts as well, but he may see a greater role going forward if Flowers, Lane and Walker all miss more time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When will Zay Flowers return? Ravens WR injured hamstring Week 1
