WR Zay Flowers absent from Ravens practice Wednesday as postseason preparation begins
Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flower did not practice Wednesday, the team’s first of the postseason, as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) also did not practice but was present in street clothes, and linebackers Del’Shawn Phillips and Malik Harrison, tight end Charlie Kolar, and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh missed practice, too.
Several other players — including quarterback Lamar Jackson and inside linebacker Roquan Smith — who rested Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers returned to practice as the Ravens readied for the playoffs. Kyle Hamilton (knee), Kevin Zeitler (quad/knee) and Geno Stone, who left Saturday’s game with a knee injury, all returned to fully participate in practice.
As the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Ravens receive the postseason bye through this weekend. They’ll play at home on Jan. 20 or 21 against a team to be determined in the divisional round.
Despite a loss to the Steelers in a less-than-meaningful game in Week 18, the Ravens managed to avoid significant injury. They’ll hope to enter the playoffs with a strong bill of health, including from Humphrey and Flowers, who tallied a team-high 858 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season.
Practice squad running back Dalvin Cook also made his first appearance on Wednesday after the four-time Pro Bowl selection was signed by the Ravens last week.
“Dalvin Cook is a high pedigree player, a highly decorated player, and he’s still got talent and ability,” coach John Harbaugh said.