Toronto Star
· collected 2026-09-17 · by Noah Trister The Associated Press
Ja'Kobi Lane, an impressive rookie wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens who caught his first NFL pass and nearly scored a touchdown last weekend in Indianapolis, is heading to injured reserve following surgery for a wrist injury. Alongside him, Zay Flowers left with a hamstring issue after a strong performance against the Colts, leaving coach Jesse Minter concerned about finding replacements as the team faces New Orleans at home this week. With Rashod Bateman still available but limited depth, new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle must navigate potential roster changes to maintain Baltimore's high offensive output from their 41-23 win over the Colts.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
For Ja'Kobi Lane, his NFL debut with the Baltimore Ravens started positively but ended abruptly due to a wrist injury that required surgery, leading him to injured reserve. In his first game against the Indianapolis Colts, Lane had what appeared to be a touchdown reception before it was nullified by a penalty; he also caught two passes for 25 yards and a score before leaving the game early. Additionally, fellow wide receiver Zay Flowers exited with a hamstring injury after a strong start that saw him rack up five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown in less than half a game.
The injuries come as a significant blow to the Ravens' offense, already dealing with Rashod Bateman being sidelined. With these key players out of action early on, Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson faces challenges finding reliable targets when they host the New Orleans Saints in their home opener soon. Coach Jesse Minter acknowledged Lane’s eagerness to return but did not provide a specific timeline for his comeback.
Written for “Ravens Receiver Injury” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
For a moment, Ja’Kobi Lane thought he’d caught a touchdown pass in his very first NFL game.
asserted
he → think → game
Now it’s not clear when he’ll play his next.
asserted
he → ’ → next
Lane is headed to injured reserve after the Baltimore wideout had surgery Wednesday morning.
asserted
wideout → head → surgery
After an impressive preseason, the rookie had his touchdown last weekend at Indianapolis called back because of a penalty.
asserted
touchdown → have → penalty
He was eventually sidelined with a wrist injury.
asserted
He → sideline → injury
Zay Flowers left with a hamstring issue after a great start.
asserted
Flowers → leave → start
Coach Jesse Minter said Flowers is day to day.
asserted
Flowers → say → day
“He’ll be back as soon as it is,” Minter said.
asserted
Minter → say → ?
“Whatever the number is, try to slice a week or two off of that, from a player’s competitive standpoint.
asserted
number → try → standpoint
I know he’ll be chomping at the bit to get back.”
asserted
he → know → bit
Baltimore finished with over 500 yards of offense in a 41-23 win over the Colts, but the Ravens really looked stellar when Flowers was in the game.
asserted
Flowers → finish → game
He caught five passes for 150 yards and a touchdown before exiting in the second quarter.
asserted
He → catch → quarter
If he’s out this weekend in the home opener against New Orleans, Lamar Jackson won’t have many proven targets.
asserted
Jackson → ’ → targets
Rashod Bateman remains available, but Devontez Walker (groin) and rookie Elijah Sarratt were inactive last weekend.
asserted
Walker → remain → ?
Walker has seven career receptions in two-plus seasons, although four were for touchdowns.
asserted
four → have → touchdowns
Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) was limited after missing the opener.
asserted
Madubuike → limit → opener
New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle faces a real test trying to keep the offense humming despite potentially being down his best receiver (Flowers) and a promising rookie (Lane).
asserted
Doyle → face → receiver
A return by Walker could help.
uncertain
return → help → Walker
“I’m very excited.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
You see a lot of good things — what Dec is doing, how he dialed things up,” Walker said.
asserted
Walker → see → things
“Makes any receiver want to be excited, to play with him.”
asserted
receiver → make → him
After contributing almost exclusively on special teams last season, LaJohntay Wester caught two passes for 15 yards Sunday.
asserted
Wester → contribute → yards
Chris Moore, an 11-year veteran who was elevated from the practice squad to face Indianapolis, caught a 53-yard pass.
asserted
who → elevate → pass
“I really try to learn everybody’s position, because you never know what’s going to happen in a game,” Moore said.
asserted
Moore → try → game
“I’ve been in that situation where people go down and you’ve just got to get pulled in, and you’ve got to make the most of it.
asserted
you → go → it
That’s how this league is, and that’s how you get trust from coaches.”
asserted
you → ’ → coaches
The Ravens signed Moore from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Wednesday.
“You tell guys, ‘Play your way onto the roster,’ and Chris certainly did that in Week 1,” Minter said.
asserted
Minter → sign → Week
Jackson threw for 324 yards against the Colts.
asserted
Jackson → throw → Colts
Flowers’ ability to create big plays after the catch was a key factor, but eight other players had at least one reception as well.
asserted
players → create → reception
Mark Andrews had four catches, and fellow tight ends Matt Hibner and Durham Smythe had one apiece.
asserted
Hibner → have → one
Baltimore lost tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in the offseason.
asserted
Baltimore → lose → offseason
Now wide receiver is where the team’s depth will be tested.
asserted
depth → test → ?
I think the first game was a great example that the ball can really go anywhere in our offense — just being very precise, being very detailed, being in the right spot, the ball can find you,” Minter said.
asserted
Minter → think → you
“Playing fast and playing with confidence, we have a lot of confidence in all those guys.
asserted
we → play → guys
They have gotten so many reps from all the way back from the offseason program to now.
asserted
They → get → program
So, just go out there and use the talent that you have been given and put it on display, within the framework of the offense.”
asserted
you → go → offense
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