The Baltimore Ravens rocked the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, walking out of Lucas Oil Stadium with a decisive 41-23 win. Lamar Jackson completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions, adding 40 rushing yards and a rushing score. Zay Flowers hauled in five catches for a whopping 150 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half, before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.
But Flowers wasn’t the only Ravens wideout to get hurt. Rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane reportedly fractured his wrist and is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days, an injury likely to sideline him for at least a month.
Lane, Baltimore’s third-round pick out of USC in April’s draft, finished Sunday’s win with just one catch on three targets for 11 yards. But he’d been connecting with Jackson all camp and preseason, and coaches raved about him throughout the summer.
His highlight-reel grabs lit up social media, and Ravens fans were excited to see his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame paired with Flowers on the outside. Unfortunately, it looks like the duo will have to wait at least four games before taking the field together again.
Fortunately for Baltimore, the upcoming schedule is friendly for the passing game. The Ravens next host the New Orleans Saints, followed by matchups against the Cowboys and Titans, three beatable defenses Jackson shouldn’t have much trouble against, especially if Flowers returns to form. Flowers is reportedly considered day-to-day with his hamstring injury.
In Lane’s absence, expect Rashod Bateman to see more targets, along with Devontez Walker and fourth-round rookie Elijah Sarratt.