OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers did not practice on Jan. 7 because of a knee injury, and his status remains one of the top storylines for the Ravens as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card round game on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 8 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium.
Flowers, who this season became the first Ravens wide receiver ever named to the Pro Bowl, led the Ravens in targets (116), receptions (74) and receiving yards (1,059) and caught four touchdown passes. The only game he has missed in two NFL seasons came in the regular-season finale last year after the Ravens had wrapped up the league’s No. 1 seed.
Flowers suffered a knee injury in the regular-season finale this year, a 35-10 win against Cleveland that clinched the second straight AFC North title for the Ravens. He slowly limped off the field in the second quarter of that game and did not return.
John Harbaugh did not meet with the media after practice Jan. 7, but a day earlier he had described Flowers’ injury as “day to day” and said that Flowers “is going to try to do everything he can do to get back as soon as he can, and we’ll see where that takes us.”
Flowers was in the locker room after practice, with a brace on his right knee.
The third-seeded Ravens (12-5) host the sixth-seeded Steelers (10-7) in the third meeting between the AFC North rivals this season. Each won at home. Pittsburgh won, 18-16, in Week 11, and the Ravens pulled away for a 34-17 win three weeks ago.
Flowers had five catches for 100 yards in that game.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson said if Flowers is not available against Pittsburgh it will simply be “next guy up. … Hopefully we have him, but if not, other guys will step up, and we’re going to be ready to roll.”
NOTEBOOK
HAMILTON LIMITED: According to the Ravens’ injury report, safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) was limited, as was running back Justice Hill, who has been dealing with a concussion and an illness. Hill was on the practice field in a red noncontact jersey on Jan. 7.
JAGUARS REQUEST INTERVIEW WITH MONKEN: The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they have formally requested an interview with Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken for their head coaching vacancy. The Jaguars parted ways with head coach Doug Pederson a day after they finished the 2024 season with a 4-13 record.
Monken has led a Ravens offense that this year became the first in NFL history to amass 3,000 rushing yards and 4,000 passing yards in the same season. The Ravens rank first in the league in total offense, averaging 424.9 yards a game, and also rank first in rushing and red zone offense.
Monken has reportedly drawn interest from the Chicago Bears for their head coaching vacancy as well. Monken is scheduled to meet with the media Jan. 8 for his regular weekly news conference and likely will be asked about interest from other teams.
HARTY RETURNS TO PRACTICE: Return specialist Deonte Harty has been designated to return from injured reserve and was a full participant in practice Jan. 7. Harty could regain the primary return job that has been in flux since he first went to IR in mid-October. Harty this season has averaged 10.6 yards on eight punt returns and 24.5 yards on four kickoff returns.
With Harty on the sideline, the Ravens have signed veterans Desmond King and Steven Sims primarily to handle punt returns and have turned to running backs Rasheen Ali and Keaton Mitchell on kickoff returns. But the Ravens have had some adventures with ball security, particularly on punt returns, and Harty could work back into that role quickly if healthy.
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