The Baltimore Ravens have proven they can stay competitive even without their two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose lingering ankle injury has kept him sidelined.
Backup Tyler Huntley has steered the offense effectively enough to keep the team in the win column, as seen in last week’s overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
What the Ravens may struggle to do without, however, is Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers.
Through the first month of the 2026 season, Flowers has emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic receivers. In four games, he has hauled in 26 of 31 targets for 405 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a robust 15.6 yards per catch.
His combination of explosive playmaking, yards after the catch, and efficiency has made him a centerpiece of Baltimore’s attack when healthy.
Notably, the Ravens’ only loss this season came in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, a game Flowers missed entirely because of a hamstring injury.
That history explains the concern after Flowers reappeared on Thursday’s injury report ahead of Sunday’s Week 6 matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted that Flowers had just cleared the report the previous day, only to return with a toe injury. He appeared fine following practice, offering some reassurance, though the timing is far from ideal.
The same report also listed outside linebacker Mike Green as limited with a hamstring issue.
Flowers has already navigated a series of lower-body problems this season.
After the hamstring that sidelined him in Week 2, he dealt with a foot injury last week yet still played through it, catching eight of nine targets for 53 yards and adding a 13-yard rush in the win over Atlanta.
Whether the current toe issue is related remains unclear. Physical therapist Jeff Mueller offered a lighthearted observation on social media, pointing out the progression from hamstring to foot to toe and joking that the next stop might be a toenail before the problem disappears altogether.
For now, Flowers’ status for the Browns game is something to monitor closely through Friday’s practice.
With Jackson’s return still uncertain and Huntley likely to start again, the Ravens’ offense will lean heavily on Flowers’ ability to create separation and big plays.
Losing their most productive receiver would complicate an already challenging stretch, especially against a division rival.
Baltimore has shown resilience without its star quarterback, but the presence of a healthy Zay Flowers has been a consistent difference-maker in their early success.
