Overview
- Flowers aggravated a hamstring in the season opener when he had five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, and he missed Baltimore’s Week 2 game against New Orleans because of the injury.
- The receiver did not practice Wednesday or Thursday before the Ravens’ flight to Rio de Janeiro, a development reported by the team and echoed by multiple media insiders that reduces his chances of playing on Sunday.
- Team data show a sharp drop in explosiveness without Flowers, with the Ravens scoring four touchdowns on five drives when he played in Week 1 compared with three touchdowns on 16 drives after he left that game.
- If Flowers is inactive, Rashod Bateman and veterans such as Chris Moore will absorb a larger role while rookie Ja’Kobi Lane remains on injured reserve, further narrowing Baltimore’s receiving depth.
- The club is weighing the long travel to Maracanã Stadium, concerns about the field and Flowers’ four-year, $140 million contract as it chooses caution over rushing him back and considers short-term roster or scheme adjustments.