The Baltimore Ravens, who waived wide receiver Diontae Johnson on Friday, might be even thinner at the position as Rashod Bateman is questionable to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nelson Agholor (concussion) has already been ruled out of the game.
Latest Rashod Bateman Injury Update
Bateman (foot) was a limited participant on Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday, rendering him questionable at best. It was reported on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” that the Ravens were still optimistic he would be able to go on Saturday.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Ravens are “somewhat optimistic” that Bateman will play on Saturday. He has not been ruled out but has not practiced since the injury.
“Rashod Bateman had an issue in practice, got rolled up on his foot area during a practice session, had a boot in the locker room,” Fowler reported. “It’s going to be up in the air a little bit. I talked to somebody with Baltimore who’s somewhat optimistic that he can go, but nothing official as of yet, so it could be more of a game-time decision.”
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Bateman’s availability will be determined during pregame warmups. Bateman was not listed among the team’s inactives, but it is still undetermined to what degree he will be involved.
Inactives vs. Steelers: pic.twitter.com/6zwXqKPfEL
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 21, 2024
The Ravens will also be without Agholor who was ruled out during the week.
Rashod Bateman’s Fantasy Outlook
— Fantasy analysis provided by Kyle Soppe
I don’t think I need to sell or persuade you on Bateman; you know exactly what you’re signing up for. For his career, Bateman’s average TD reception length is 30.5 yards, and if you’re considering him, you’re very much relying on that double-digit point play.
Bateman has scored seven times this season, but six have come against awfully vulnerable defenses (New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Dallas Cowboys). You can isolate the 40-yard score against the Los Angeles Chargers if you want and use that as ammo for Flexing him in a tough spot, but let’s not lose track of the fact that he had one catch for three yards in that game outside of the broken coverage.
Is that level of downside something you’re willing to take on?
Ravens Offense So Far in 2024
All stats referenced are from TruMedia unless stated otherwise.
Baltimore gave up its seat on the PFN Offensive+ ranking throne in Week 13 but has regained it as we head into the final three weeks of the regular season.
The Ravens lead the league in EPA per play and red-zone efficiency — not a surprise when you consider that they have an MVP candidate flanked by an Offensive Player of the Year front-runner, a tandem that puts defenses in a position to decide between bad and worse near the goal line.
The Johnson situation continued to spiral ahead of his release, but with Bateman’s recent production, along with Mark Andrews becoming one of the NFL’s most efficient red-zone options over the past two months, this offense is humming.
