The Baltimore Ravens’ season finale against the Cleveland Browns took an unexpected detour when Zay Flowers hit the turf. In a game meant to tie up the regular season with a bang, Ravens fans collectively held their breath as their star rookie wideout exited with an injury.
Cue the panic: social media lit up, with armchair experts debating worst-case scenarios.
Zay Flowers’ Knee Injury Sends Ravens Fans Into a Frenzy
Flowers’ knee had Ravens fans screaming more expletives than a mic’d-up defensive coach. The sophomore sensation hit the turf hard against the Browns, clutching his knee and limping off.
The injury came on a classic Flowers play: a quick catch-and-run where he made defenders look silly. After grabbing at his knee, the Pro Bowler limped to the medical tent before heading to the locker room.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport didn’t help nerves, dropping the news on X: “#Ravens WR Zay Flowers (knee) is questionable to return. One to watch with the playoffs next week.”
Ravens fans spiraled.
One comment said, “Hopefully Zay Flowers injury isn’t serious! And this is precautionary.”
Hopefully Zay Flowers injury isn’t serious! And this is precautionary 🤞🤞🤞
— Will P (@wphperforms) January 4, 2025
Another read, “Looks like he tore his ACL, hope not.”
John Harbaugh gave an update postgame, saying “It’s something that he has a chance to be OK with, but we’ll have more details after an MRI tomorrow morning,” likely ruling out the worst-case scenario some fans may have initially feared
Another grimly predicted, “By his reaction, it didn’t look good.”
By his reaction it didn't look good.
— Burko The Canadian (@Canadian1774) January 4, 2025
And while there were trolls, others came to the star receiver’s defense:
ZAY FLOWERS TAKE MY KNEE pic.twitter.com/krOr6Td8X1
— sammy clause 🎅 (@Flxmingoz) January 4, 2025
The Ravens rolled into Week 18 with two goals: secure the AFC North crown and stay healthy for the playoffs. They didn’t get off to a good start on the second front.
So, should you start or sit Flowers in fantasy football next week in any postseason fantasy formats? For now, it’s all about waiting on updates and praying this knee scare is just that — a scare.
Can You Trust Flowers in Your Fantasy Lineup Post-Injury?
After leaving Week 18’s matchup against the Browns with a knee injury, the question arises of whether or not you can trust Flowers in your lineup.
Flowers’ Year 2 campaign has been solid. His PPR fantasy points per game mirror his debut season, but here’s the kicker: his aDOT is up nearly 24%, and his usage in high-value situations has spiked. That’s the kind of progression you love to see in your WR1.
The Browns’ defense hasn’t been stellar in one key area: YAC. They rank as the sixth-worst in the league, making Flowers’ ability to turn short plays into big gains a tantalizing factor. Need a reminder? In Week 8 against the Browns, he posted a monster stat line: 7 catches, 115 yards, and a 34.3% target share.
Unfortunately, he never returned to the contest to take advantage of the mismatch, but if he is able to return for Wild Card Weekend, he will likely face either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers, depending on Week 18’s results.