When will Zay Flowers return? Ravens WR injured hamstring Week 1

The Baltimore Ravens might not be without their top wide receiver for long.

Zay Flowers was ruled out of the Ravens‘ season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts early in the fourth quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury. A report from ESPN and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Monday, Sept. 14 indicated that Flowers’ injury is not considered to be long-term.

“He’ll have an MRI, but if it was a playoff game, he likely would’ve returned,” Rapoport wrote on social media site X.

Flowers, whom the Ravens inked to a four-year, $130 million extension in August, was off to an excellent start to the 2026 season. Prior to his injury, the 26-year-old recorded five passes for 150 yards – a single-game career high – and a touchdown.

Here’s what to know about Flowers’ status after his Week 1 injury:

De’Zhaun Stribling, SF (ankle)

De’Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by trainers after an injury in the second quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.

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De’Zhaun Stribling, SF (ankle)

De’Zhaun Stribling of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by trainers after an injury in the second quarter of the NFL football game against Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.

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Tua Tagovailoa, ATL (oblique)

Tua Tagovailoa of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTA’s at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

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A.J. Brown, NE (ankle) – injured reserve

A.J. Brown of the New England Patriots reacts after being injured in a play against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter in the game at Lumen Field on September 09, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

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Sam Darnold, SEA (hip)

New England Patriots defensive end Dre’Mont Jones sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during the first quarter at Lumen Field.

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Brock Bowers, LV (knee)

Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders waves to fans after warming up before a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Treveyon Henderson, NE (ankle)

Treveyon Henderson of the New England Patriots looks on prior to Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.

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Rome Odunze, CHI (calf)

Rome Odunze of the Chicago Bears catches a pass during Chicago Bears Training Camp at Halas Hall on July 29, 2026, in Lake Forest, Illinois.

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Alvin Kamara, NO (knee)

Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints on the sidelines before a preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on August 22, 2026, in Inglewood, California.

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Zach Charbonnet, SEA (knee) – PUP list

Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball against by Deommodore Lenoir of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of a game at Levi’s Stadium on January 03, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.

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Isiah Pacheco, DET (back) – Injured reserve

Isiah Pacheco of the Detroit Lions during Detroit Lions Training Camp at Detroit Lions Meijer Performance Center on July 29, 2026, in Allen Park, Michigan.

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Jordyn Tyson, NO (hamstring) – Injured reserve

Jordyn Tyson of the New Orleans Saints participates in drills during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on July 30, 2026, in Metairie, Louisiana.

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Tank Dell, HOU (knee) – Injured reserve

Tank Dell of the Houston Texans runs to the practice facility during Houston Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center on August 01, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

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Christian Kirk, SF (calf) – Injured reserve

Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars is introduced against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at EverBank Field on November 12, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Ricky Pearsall, SF (knee) – Out for season

Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers works out during training camp practice at SAP Performance Facility on July 27, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.

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Chris Brazzell, CAR (knee) – Out for season

Chris Brazzell II of the Carolina Panthers warms up during the Carolina Panthers Training Camp at Carolina Panthers Practice Fields on July 23, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Jayden Higgins, HOU (knee) – Out for season

Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
injury update

The Ravens’ top wide receiver departed his team’s Week 1 game on Sept. 13 with a hamstring injury he sustained in the final minutes of the first half. Flowers grabbed at the back of his left leg after Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner tackled the wideout on his final catch of the day. Flowers was ruled out of the game in the fourth quarter.

One day later, Baltimore appears unconcerned that Flowers’ injury is a significant ailment. According to Rapoport, Flowers is “considered day-to-day” before getting an MRI on his injured hamstring.

The former first-round pick had been dealing with a hamstring injury in training camp. Flowers sustained the injury during joint practices with the Vikings ahead of the two teams’ second preseason game, according to Ravens editorial director Ryan Mink. The wideout returned to practice on Sept. 3 and did not have an injury designation for the Week 1 clash with the Colts.

• Zay Flowers (questionable – hamstring)

• Rashod Bateman

• Ja’Kobi Lane (doubtful – wrist)

• Devontez Walker (out – groin)

• Chris Moore

• Elijah Sarratt

• LaJohntay Wester

Zay Flowers (questionable – hamstring)

Baltimore’s wide receivers room is banged up heading into Week 2.

Flowers is day-to-day with his hamstring injury and could be back by next week barring the revelation of a more severe injury from his imaging or any setbacks. Conversely, rookie standout Ja’Kobi Lane could miss some time. The Southern California product was ruled out of Week 1’s game with a wrist injury, and NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reported that the early diagnosis was a wrist fracture.

Meanwhile, Devontez Walker already missed Week 1 with a groin injury. Rookie Elijah Sarratt was a healthy scratch against the Colts as well, but he may see a greater role going forward if Flowers, Lane and Walker all miss more time.