Rashod Bateman Fantasy Overview

Ravens WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Saints. He returned to a limited practice on Friday, which has us optimistic about his chances of playing Week 3. With rookie Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) on IR, Baltimore is thin at WR. We're projecting Rashod Bateman and Devontez Walker as the primary outside WRs, with LaJohntay Wester in the slot. We'd avoid the situation in fantasy lineups this week. TE Mark Andrews might be the team's best target bet and is a nice Week 2 starter.

Ravens WR Zay Flowers (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for this weekend’s game vs. the Saints. He got in a limited practice on Friday, which should have him on track to return for Week 3. But it’s a big loss for Baltimore this week. Flowers drew a 28.0% target share last year and hogged 50.0% of targets in the first half of last week’s opener. We’re expecting Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester to operate as the Ravens’ top 3 WRs against New Orleans, but none is a reliable fantasy play. TE Mark Andrews might be the team’s best target bet and is a nice Week 2 starter.

Ravens WR Ja'Kobi Lane fractured his wrist in the Week 1 win over the Colts, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports. Lane is scheduled for additional testing on Monday, so we should get a timeline for his return soon. But the rookie figures to land on short-term IR and miss at least 4 games. He can be dropped from redraft rosters. The Ravens were down to WRs Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore, and LaJohntay Wester after Lane and Zay Flowers left Sunday's game. Those 3 combined for just 3 catches, including a goose egg from Bateman. Assuming Flowers' injury doesn't cost him any more time, none of these other Ravens WRs are trustworthy fantasy starters.

Update: Lane had surgery on his fractured wrist and has been placed on IR, knocking him out for the next 4 games.

Rashod Bateman has been arrested and faces three charges stemming from a June incident. The Ravens said in a statement, via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, “We are aware of the situation involving Rashod and have been in direct communication with him. We notified the league office and have been cooperating throughout the process. As this is a pending legal matter, we will not have further comment.”