The Baltimore Ravens beat the brakes off the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener, walking out of Lucas Oil Stadium with a commanding 41-23 victory behind a dominant showing from Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers. Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, while Jackson completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions, adding 40 rushing yards and a rushing score. But Flowers was arguably the most explosive of the bunch, going for 150 receiving yards and a touchdown on just five catches, all in the first half.
He didn't play in the second half after injuring his left hamstring, an injury that ultimately held him out in Week 2. The result: a 24-17 loss to the visiting New Orleans Saints. It wasn't entirely because Flowers missed, but it didn't help.
Now, it's looking like the Ravens' star wideout could miss a second straight week. On Thursday, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reported that both Flowers and starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed practice for a second consecutive day, adding that "it's looking like Baltimore will be without Flowers for a second consecutive game." More news: Sean McVay Reveals Troubling Update on Puka Nacua’s Injury The Ravens face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. Both teams are 1-1 and need a win to keep pace with division rivals.
If the Ravens are without Flowers again, it puts even more pressure on Jackson, Henry, and the rest of Baltimore's starters. The Saints defense isn't elite, but it's not a pushover either, and it still kept Jackson largely in check. He finished 21 of 31 for 235 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
Henry also dropped to just 63 rushing yards on 16 carries. More news: Ben Johnson Gives Ringing Endorsement of Bears’ Likely ‘MNF’ Starter More news: Browns Insider Predicts Shedeur Sanders Won’t Be on the Roster for Much Longer Rashod Bateman stepped up in Week 2 with 88 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches, showing an ability to take on a bigger role when other pass catchers go down. But he's not Flowers, a two-time Pro Bowl receiver the Ravens just signed to a four-year, $140 million extension over the summer.
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