OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens are bracing to be down multiple starters and will wait and see on a few others for the home opener against New Orleans.
While two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and inside linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee) were officially declared out for a second straight week, wide receiver Zay Flowers is expected to miss Sunday’s game after aggravating his left hamstring late in the first half of the season-opening win in Indianapolis. Flowers was officially listed as doubtful on the final injury report after returning to practice on only a very limited basis Friday. Flowers has dealt with a problematic left hamstring for the better part of the last month, so the organization is exercising much caution this early in the season.
The two-time Pro Bowl receiver caught five passes for a touchdown and a career-high 150 receiving yards in just 25 minutes of play against Colts before exiting early. Needless to say, superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson will be counting on veteran starter Rashod Bateman and the rest of the wide receiver group to pick up the slack. Return specialist LaJohntay Wester, Devontez Walker, and Chris Moore are among those figuring to play bigger roles in the passing offense against the Saints, and injuries to Flowers and fellow rookie Ja’Kobi Lane — who is now on injured reserve — could also open the door for 2026 fourth-round pick Elijah Sarratt to make his NFL debut.
“You don’t know what can happen with one of our guys, and someone might have to step up,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I feel like ‘Bate’ has already been out there, but Tay, Tez, Chris Moore, those guys are going to step in. Elijah, those guys are going to step up and do what they’re supposed to do.”
The Ravens are officially listing left tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe), left guard John Simpson (groin), and outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) as questionable for Week 2. All three were able to log limited practices Friday after sitting out the previous two days, but Stanley’s status appears to be the biggest question since he didn’t appear to be doing very much during the portion of practice open to the media. Should Stanley not be able to play, second-year swing tackle Carson Vinson would be in line to make his first NFL start.
Madubuike and Buchanan remained limited in practices throughout the week, which made it easier to conclude Baltimore would hold them out for at least one more game. Head coach Jesse Minter said Madubuike was “really, really close” to returning two days before the season opener, so the question now becomes whether he’ll make his much-awaited season debut against Dallas in Brazil in Week 3.
The Ravens officially ruled out reserve cornerback T.J. Tampa with a knee injury that could land him on short-term IR.
8
The Saints listed standout wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) and defensive end Chase Young (calf) as questionable to play after both were surprise additions to Thursday’s injury report. However, both were able to practice on a limited basis Friday, which was a positive sign for their Week 2 availability.
Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Jordan (hamstring) and five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara (knee) do not carry game status designations, meaning both are set to make their season debuts after sitting out Week 1.
New Orleans will be without longtime long snapper Zach Wood, who injured his calf during Thursday’s practice and was placed on IR. The Saints signed veteran long snapper Scott Daly to take his place for Sunday’s game, which makes their special-teams operation something worth watching.
Below is the final injury report for Week 2:
BALTIMORE
OUT: ILB Teddye Buchanan (knee), DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), CB T.J. Tampa (knee)
DOUBTFUL: WR Zay Flowers (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger), G John Simpson (groin), OT Ronnie Stanley (toe)
NEW ORLEANS
OUT: LS Zach Wood (calf)
DOUBTFUL: LB Isaiah Stalbird (shoulder)
QUESTIONABLE: DL Christen Miller (toe), WR Chris Olave (hamstring), DE Chase Young (calf)
