Ravens Week 2 injury report vs. Saints: What it means for fantasy football

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The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 2 with uncertainty, even though Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry carry no injury designations. Wide receiver Zay Flowers is doubtful with a hamstring injury, while left tackle Ronnie Stanley and left guard John Simpson are questionable. That could reshape Baltimore’s fantasy outlook.

Flowers missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning in a limited capacity Friday. He is unlikely to play after aggravating the injury during Baltimore’s 41-23 opening win. Stanley and Simpson also sat twice before limited Friday practices.

Baltimore also ruled out linebacker Teddye Buchanan, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and cornerback T.J. Tampa. Outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson is questionable, while Devontez Walker, Calais Campbell, Jaylinn Hawkins and Keondre Jackson received no game designation.

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Lamar Jackson remains an automatic fantasy start

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Fantasy managers should not consider alternatives to Jackson. The two-time MVP opened the season by completing 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown, then added 40 rushing yards and another score. His rushing floor and control of Baltimore’s offense keep him firmly in the elite QB1 tier.

However, Flowers’ absence would lower Jackson’s passing ceiling. The receiver produced five catches for 150 yards and a 54-yard touchdown on six targets before leaving Week 1. Removing that explosiveness limits easy yardage and pressures other receivers to win.

The two offensive-line designations also matter considerably. Stanley protects Jackson’s blind side, and Simpson starts beside him at left guard. If either cannot play, Jackson could face more pressure and Baltimore may lean on quicker throws, designed movement and its running game. Jackson remains a must-start, but the injuries increase the volatility around his passing total.

Derrick Henry stays locked into RB1 territory

Henry’s fantasy value remains strong after he rushed 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. Baltimore gave him the traditional workload while Justice Hill handled passing downs. Flowers’ absence may increase that emphasis.

There is some downside if Stanley or Simpson sits. Baltimore’s line allowed Henry to gain 110 yards before contact and prevented defenders from hitting him at the line on all but 8.3% of his carries. Any disruption on the left side could reduce that efficiency.

Ultimately, his projected volume and excellent touchdown opportunity easily outweigh that concern. Henry should remain in every lineup as a high-end RB1. Hill is only a deeper PPR option because Henry’s dominance near the goal line caps Hill’s weekly ceiling.

Flowers’ targets must go somewhere

Fantasy managers should plan as though Flowers will be inactive and bench him. Even if he unexpectedly plays, a limited workload and reinjury risk would make him difficult to trust.

Mark Andrews becomes the safest beneficiary. He caught four passes for 49 yards on six targets in Week 1 and played 49 offensive snaps. Without Flowers commanding the intermediate and underneath areas, Andrews projects as Jackson’s most reliable option and should be started as a TE1.

Rashod Bateman becomes Baltimore’s nominal No. 1 wide receiver and carries boom-or-bust flex appeal. Devontez Walker is cleared from his groin injury and offers another vertical threat, while Chris Moore merits attention after producing a 53-yard reception when Baltimore’s receiver depth was tested in the opener.

Bateman is the preferred fantasy gamble in 12-team leagues, but Andrews owns the better target floor. Walker and Moore belong in deeper formats or DFS tournaments rather than standard lineups. Jackson and Henry remain elite, automatic weekly fantasy starters; Flowers’ likely absence simply concentrates more valuable fantasy opportunity among Baltimore’s remaining playmakers.

Related: Ravens’ Zay Flowers gets doubtful injury update for Saints game

Related: Are Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry in for career years with new OC?

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