Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton returns to practice Thursday, WR Zay Flowers still absent
Dec. 28—By Childs Walker — childs.walker@baltsun.com
PUBLISHED:December 28, 2023 at 2:44 p.m.| UPDATED:December 28, 2023 at 6:14 p.m.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton returned to practice as a limited participant Thursday but took part in few drills and moved tentatively on his injured left knee during the portion open to reporters.
He was unsure if he'll recover quickly enough to play in Sunday's high-stakes showdown with the Miami Dolphins.
"I'm good, day by day. It could have been worse," he said after practice. "I'm still evaluating; [it's a] short week. I've got a day less to evaluate everything, but I'll do everything I can to make it to the game."
Meanwhile, wide receiver Zay Flowers, who leads the team in catches and receiving yards, was absent for a second straight day because of a calf injury. Starting cornerback Brandon Stephens and linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips, neither of whom appeared on Wednesday's injury report, were also missing, Stephens because of an ankle injury and Phillips because of a shoulder injury. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis, who was limited Wednesday, did not practice as he remains in concussion protocol.
The Ravens listed punter Jordan Stout as a limited participant because of a back injury, while reserve offensive lineman Patrick Mekari remained limited by a concussion.
Hamilton was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's walkthrough on the team's estimated injury report. He aggravated a two-week-old injury to his left knee late in the Ravens' 33-19 win Monday night over the San Francisco 49ers. He intercepted two passes in the game and was subsequently named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Hamilton said his ankle was rolled up and put stress on his knee, which he'd hurt in the Ravens' Dec. 10 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
"Yeah, it was the same thing. I was talking about taking the brace off before the game, because it was annoying me, but something told me not to, and I'm glad I didn't. Because who knows? Maybe the brace prevented something else from happening."
If Hamilton can't play Sunday, his absence would be a significant blow to the Ravens as they take on the Dolphins' top-ranked passing offense with a chance to clinch the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed. They would also miss Stephens if he can't go against the league's most productive wide receiver, Tyreek Hill.
In good news for the Ravens, right guard Kevin Zeitler returned as a limited participant after he did not practice Wednesday because of knee and quadriceps injuries. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith went from limited to full participants, though Smith wore a brace on his arm to protect a pectoral injury.
The Dolphins are dealing with a long list of injuries to key players, though only running back Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) did not practice Thursday. Coach Mike McDaniel said he expects Mostert to play, while ESPN reported that Waddle, who suffered a high-ankle injury Sunday, is unlikely to face the Ravens.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (left thumb/quad), running back De'Von Achane (toe), outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (wrist), safety Jevon Holland (knees), cornerback Xavien Howard (hip/thumb), tackle Terron Armstead (knee/ankle/back), guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) and Hill (ankle/rest) were all listed as limited participants Thursday.
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