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Ravens rule out Zay Flowers, place T.J. Tampa on injured reserve
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- Ravens rule out Zay Flowers, place T.J. Tampa on injured reserve
The Baltimore Ravens will play their home opener without their leading receiver and another member of their secondary.
Baltimore officially ruled out Zay Flowers with a hamstring injury on Saturday. The Ravens also placed cornerback T.J. Tampa Jr. on injured reserve with a knee injury, signed inside linebacker Carl Jones Jr. to the 53-man roster, and elevated offensive tackle Gerad Lichtenhan from the practice squad. Flowers was initially listed as doubtful after missing Wednesday and Thursday practices. He returned in a limited capacity Friday but was not cleared to face the New Orleans Saints .
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The decision prevents Flowers from aggravating the injury one week after he caught five passes for 150 yards and one touchdown during Baltimore's 41-23 victory over Indianapolis . His 54-yard touchdown helped the Ravens build their early lead before the hamstring issue ended his afternoon.
Baltimore must now replace Flowers without rookie Ja'Kobi Lane, who was placed on injured reserve after undergoing wrist surgery. Rashod Bateman , Chris Moore , Devontez Walker , LaJohntay Wester and Elijah Sarratt comprise the available receiver group. Walker practiced fully throughout the week after missing the opener with a groin injury. Wester could assume some of the motion, slot and backfield responsibilities Baltimore created for Flowers in Declan Doyle's offense.
Tampa will miss at least four games. He played five defensive snaps against Indianapolis before leaving with the knee injury. Chidobe Awuzie , Chandler Rivers and Keyon Martin provide depth behind starting cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey . Jones gives Baltimore additional depth at inside linebacker after Teddye Buchanan was ruled out with a knee injury. Jones was elevated for Week 1 and contributed on special teams.
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Lichtenhan's elevation provides insurance at offensive tackle. Ronnie Stanley is questionable with a toe injury after missing practices Wednesday and Thursday before returning on a limited basis Friday. The move does not confirm Stanley will be inactive, but Baltimore now has an additional tackle available if Stanley cannot play or experiences a setback. Carson Vinson would be a potential replacement in the starting lineup.
The Ravens also ruled out defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike . Trey Hendrickson and left guard John Simpson remain questionable alongside Stanley.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens rule out Zay Flowers, place T.J. Tampa on injured reserve
