Several Key Ravens Miss Practice Ahead of Saints Matchup

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Several Key Ravens Miss Practice Ahead of Saints Matchup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Wesley Dixon | Last updated Sep 17, 2026 9:17 AM ET

Zay Flowers, Trey Hendrickson, Ronnie Stanley and Calais Campbell were among the Ravens who did not participate Wednesday. Flowers was listed with the same hamstring injury that sidelined him in Baltimore’s Week 1 victory, Hendrickson is dealing with a finger injury, and Stanley sat out with a toe issue. Campbell’s absence was listed as veteran rest.

The injury that may warrant the most concern is Zay Flowers’s. The fourth-year receiver torched the Colts for 150 yards and a touchdown in just the first half of Baltimore’s 41-23 victory over Indianapolis. Head coach Jesse Minter said Flowers is day-to-day, but there is still reason for caution. Hamstring injuries can be especially troublesome for players who rely on sudden acceleration and explosive movement, both of which are central to Flowers’ game.

On the other side of the ball, Hendrickson and Campbell are also important to Baltimore’s Week 2 plan because of how Jesse Minter structures his defense.

Hendrickson and Campbell Could Make Minter’s Job Easier

According to NFL Pro, the Ravens used nickel or dime personnel on 51 of 53 defensive plays. Baltimore still generated a few sacks, but much of that pressure came from disguise and creative rush designs rather than the defensive front consistently winning on its own. Having Hendrickson and Campbell out there would make Jesse Minter’s job easier. If those two can generate pressure without extra help, Baltimore can keep more defensive backs in coverage and make it harder for Tyler Shough to create explosive plays.

The Saints’ Week 1 performance also showed that pressure can get home. Shough was sacked five times and pressured 26 times. Detroit did send five, six, or even seven rushers far more often than Baltimore did, but the Ravens do not need to copy the Lions’ approach. If Hendrickson and Campbell are available, Minter can stay closer to his zone-heavy principles while still generating pressure with the front.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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