Wide receiver Zay Flowers is pointing to the former coaching staff's intense practice regimen as a significant factor in the Baltimore Ravens' frequent injuries, particularly during the past season. Flowers, who has since seen a change in leadership, voiced his belief that the team's previous approach to training – including high-contact drills late into the season – directly contributed to a spate of player ailments.
The statements emerge as the Ravens grappled with player availability issues. Last season, the team ranked poorly, 27th in the league, in terms of "man games missed" due to injury, tallying 148 missed games. This is contrasted with other teams, such as the New York Giants, who were reportedly sixth with 240, suggesting a potential difference in approach or simply varying luck. Flowers specifically recalled a period in Week 17 where the team was still engaging in "one-on-one" drills, which he felt was a key reason for the high injury count.
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"Low-key, that’s why we had a lot of injuries," Flowers reportedly stated, referencing the practice philosophy.
Flowers, now two seasons into his NFL career, has managed to record back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. However, his own availability was impacted, notably missing playoff matchups in the past due to a knee injury. Reports from earlier in the year, January 13, 2025, indicated the former head coach, John Harbaugh, was assessing Flowers' readiness, mentioning his hard work in practice. Later updates, around May 5, 2025, showed Flowers recovering, with the coach noting he was feeling "great" and even engaging in light activity. Harbaugh has since taken on a new role with the New York Giants.
