NFL Trade Rumors: "Real Possibility" Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Zay Flowers Misses Wildcard Round

The Baltimore Ravens are facing a potential nightmare scenario following their regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, wide receiver Zay Flowers suffered a knee injury in the 35-10 win that could render him unavailable for the opening game of the playoffs.

From @NFLGameDay: #49ers QB Brock Purdy won’t play today with a minor elbow injury; The #Eagles won’t have QB Jalen Hurts today; #Ravens awaiting word on Zay Flowers, who likely misses next week. pic.twitter.com/k9r9Rpxq2E
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2025

Flowers went down with a painful-looking knee injury in the first half of Saturday night's game and did not return. He was helped off the field by Ravens personnel and will undergo an MRI today to confirm the severity of the injury.

Flowers has been a critical component of one of the league's best offenses all year. His 74 receptions and 1059 receiving yards lead all Ravens. Flowers has been a huge reason why the Ravens are likely to finish the regular season with league-best averages in rushing yards per attempt (5.8) and net yards per passing attempt (8.1).

A Flowers absence in the playoffs would be especially devastating for quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has struggled in the postseason to this point in his career. The two-time MVP has thrown for 1325 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions at an inefficient 5.27 net yards per passing attempt while amassing a 2-4 record over his six appearances. Worse yet, his 26 sacks and six fumbles over that same span have negated much of his effectiveness as a runner.

If the Ravens are going to make a deep playoff run, they'll need Flowers on the field. As things stand, they'll likely face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opening round. Jackson has lost three of eight starts against his NFC North rival while averaging a middling 160.5 passing yards per game. Without Flowers, the Ravens could find themselves in a very tough spot next weekend.