Zay Flowers missed Baltimore Ravens practice Wednesday due to an undisclosed minor issue, but the Pro Bowl wide receiver was spotted running off to the side, signaling progress as the team prepares for its regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts.
Flowers Stands Alone as Wednesday’s Sole Absentee
The Baltimore Ravens continue to prepare for the regular season without their top wide receiver fully on the field. Zay Flowers emerged as the sole absentee during Wednesday’s practice sessions, according to Brian Wacker. Despite missing the team workout, the wide receiver was observed running the length of the field while working off to the side, as reported by Jamison Hensley.
Ravens Coach Jesse Minter Assesses the Minor Injury
Ravens coach Jesse Minter previously described Flowers’ undisclosed issue as minor. That assessment, combined with his running work away from teammates, suggests Baltimore is managing the situation with caution rather than facing a significant long-term concern. Flowers did not practice last week and remained sidelined on Monday.
Managing the Timeline Before the Indianapolis Colts Opener
With 11 days remaining before the regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, the coaching staff faces no pressure to rush their number one receiver back into full team drills. The extended preparation window offers an opportunity to increase his workload gradually. Once Flowers returns to practice, the team can also manage his snaps to ensure he is fully ready for Week 1 action.
Building on a Career-Best 2025 Campaign
Flowers enters the upcoming campaign as the anchor of Baltimore’s receiving corps. He is coming off a productive 2025 season where he established career highs with 86 receptions and 1,211 receiving yards. His quickness and run-after-catch abilities remain critical elements as the Ravens install Declan Doyle’s offense around Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Mark Andrews.
Re-Establishing Timing With Lamar Jackson
Before the opening kickoff, the Ravens will want Flowers to log sufficient practice repetitions to re-establish his timing with Jackson. For now, his side-field running sessions indicate he is nearing the next stage of his recovery without alarming the organization.
Keep reading
