As the Baltimore Ravens gear up for their Divisional Round clash against the Buffalo Bills, all eyes are on wide receiver Zay Flowers. The Pro Bowler, who led the team with 1,059 receiving yards this season, has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the regular-season finale.

With Sunday night’s high-stakes showdown looming, Flowers’ status remains a mystery—and fans are left wondering if he’ll be ready in time.

Flowers missed the first game of his career in last weekend’s Wild Card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens offense didn’t miss a beat, racking up 299 rushing yards and cruising to a 28-14 win. But Buffalo, a team that just dismantled the Broncos 31-7, is a different kind of challenge. If Flowers can’t go, Baltimore’s offense could face an uphill battle in what promises to be a heavyweight matchup.

Head Coach John Harbaugh didn’t offer much clarity earlier this week, teasing that Flowers is “working hard” and leaving the door open for a potential return. “We’ll see toward the end of the week if he’s practicing,” Harbaugh said. “He can play without practicing—for sure—if he feels healthy enough and if it’s safe for him.”

First injury report keeps fans guessing about Zay Flowers

The Ravens released their initial injury report on Wednesday, and Flowers’ name was at the top of the list. Here’s what we know so far:

Did Not Participate (DNP):

• WR Zay Flowers (knee): Flowers was the only Ravens player not seen at practice during the media-access portion.

While Flowers remains in what Harbaugh calls “we’ll see mode,” his absence from practice is enough to cause concern. The Bills boast one of the league’s top home-field advantages, and their defense will likely key in on Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Having Flowers as a reliable deep threat and yards-after-catch machine would be a massive boost.

Without Flowers, Baltimore leaned on a collective effort in the Wild Card round. Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, and Tylan Wallace stepped up in the passing game, while tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely provided dependable targets for Lamar Jackson. The Ravens’ run-heavy approach worked to perfection against Pittsburgh, but duplicating that success against Buffalo won’t be easy.

The Bills are significantly healthier and more dangerous than when the Ravens thrashed them 35-10 in Week 4. Defensive standouts Matt Milano and Taron Johnson, who missed that game, are back, and the Bills’ offense has found its rhythm with Josh Allen and Amari Cooper leading the charge. Flowers’ ability to stretch the field and keep defenses honest could be the X-factor Baltimore needs to keep pace.

That said, Baltimore’s resilience has been a hallmark of their season. The offensive line, bolstered by Tyler Linderbaum and Ronnie Stanley, will anchor a rushing attack spearheaded by Derrick Henry. Lamar Jackson’s innate abilities remain the engine of Todd Monken’s offense, and the Ravens’ defense—ranked first in scoring since Week 11—will bring the fight to Buffalo.

For now, Ravens fans can only wait and hope for positive news on Zay Flowers.

While Harbaugh’s comments leave room for optimism, the team’s conservative approach suggests they’ll prioritize Flowers’ long-term health over a single game. If he’s cleared to play, his presence could elevate Baltimore’s offense to another level.

But whether or not Flowers suits up, one thing is clear: the Ravens are built to fight. This team has thrived in the face of adversity all season, and they won’t let injuries derail their pursuit of a Super Bowl. Sunday’s game is shaping up to be a battle for the ages, and with or without Flowers, Baltimore is ready for the challenge.