Ravens WR Zay Flowers ‘ready to go’ against Texans; CB Marlon Humphrey again misses practice
While the status of tight end Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ top pass-catcher in 2021 and 2022, remains day to day, the team’s leading receiver this season — rookie Zay Flowers — is expected to play in Saturday’s playoff opener.
“I feel great,” Flowers said Wednesday. “I’m ready to go.”
Flowers caught nine passes in his NFL debut Sept. 10 against the Houston Texans — the Ravens’ opponent in the AFC divisional round — and has recorded 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games. The first-round draft pick out of Boston College missed the Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a calf injury and did not practice last week. He was limited in practice Tuesday but was a full participant Wednesday.
Andrews has been out since suffering an ankle injury Nov. 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but there’s a chance he could play Saturday. He was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
“It’s day by day. It’s week by week,” he said, noting that it’s “very promising where I’m at.”
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey again missed practice Wednesday, leaving his status for Saturday up in the air. The Ravens are no stranger to playing without the three-time Pro Bowl selection, who’s missed seven games this season, including Baltimore’s Week 1 win over Houston.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (knee), linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (knee) and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (illness) also did not practice Wednesday. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh (ankle) and linebacker Malik Harrison (groin) practiced fully after being limited Tuesday.
One player who could be back is two-time Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay, who has been out since Dec. 10 with a back injury but has been a full participant in practice this week. Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton said that if Duvernay is healthy, he would resume his kick and punt returning roles over Justice Hill and Wallace, respectively.
The Ravens will be without reserve running back Melvin Gordon III. After rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown in four games this season, he was waived Wednesday, the team announced. The Ravens signed Dalvin Cook, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, earlier this month after he was released by the New York Jets.
