The Baltimore Ravens entered Week 18 with two things on their to-do list: win the AFC North and stay healthy for the NFL playoffs. They didn’t get off to a good start on the second front.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers left Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns with an apparent leg injury after suffering a heavy fall during a catch-and-run. Flowers, 24, immediately grabbed his right knee and was in visible pain.
He was escorted to the medical tent with a pronounced limp, then made his way to the locker room.
The Ravens initially announced Flowers as he is doubtful to return with a knee injurybut then downgraded its status to out.
After the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh I haven’t had an updatebut said Flowers has a chance to be ready for the playoffs. They will know more after an MRI on Sunday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported later Saturday he would have suffered a sprain.
A sprain would be far from the worst-case scenario, but it would cast doubt on Flowers’ availability for the wild-card round.
Flowers entered this week with 1,047 receiving yards and four touchdowns, a campaign that was recognized with his first career Pro Bowl selection. His ability to get open and make things happen after the catch is an integral part of the Ravens’ offense, so they can only hope the injury isn’t significant enough to impact the playoffs.
The Ravens beat the Browns 35-10, with Derrick Henry scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
