Is Zay Flowers playing this week? Ravens WR's status revealed for playoffs game vs Steelers

After a productive rookie season last year, Baltimore Ravens' second-year wide receiver Zay Flowers followed up with another productive sophomore season.

Flowers recorded the first 1,000-yard receiving season this year as he hauled in 74 receptions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named to the Pro Bowl, which was the first time in Ravens' franchise history that a wide receiver made the Pro Bowl for them.

In the Ravens' regular-season finale, Flowers suffered a knee injury against the Cleveland Browns that forced him out for the rest of the game. Today, the Ravens were given the news on whether or not he will play this weekend.

Will Zay Flowers play this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Ravens' Pro Bowl WR's status revealed for wildcard round of playoffs

Zay Flowers during Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens - Source: Getty

Zay Flowers will be inactive for the Baltimore Ravens' wildcard showdown with division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, this Saturday night, per coach John Harbaugh.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, on Thursday, posted this news on X:

"John Harbaugh ruled out WR Zay Flowers for Saturday’s game vs. the Steelers."

Baltimore's offense takes a huge hit with Flowers inactive. According to CBS Sports, Baltimore's offense averages 1.4 yards fewer per play with Flowers off the field. His absence mainly affects running back Derrick Henry's success on the ground. The Ravens' yards per rush goes from 6.4 to 4.7 when Flowers is on the sideline.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson will now be without his top wide receiver target. Other pass-catchers such as wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor, as well as tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, will have to step up with Flowers out.

The Baltimore Ravens open up as 8.5-point favorites against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Baltimore Ravens - Source: Getty

For a third time this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens will face one another, but this Saturday's game is the most important of the three matchups.

Each team won one divisional game against the other. Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore 18-16 in the first meeting as Baltimore got even, winning the second meeting 34-17 in Week 16.

The Ravens will be at home at M&T Bank Stadium Saturday night with an 8 p.m. kickoff. The Ravens also enter Saturday night's game as 8.5-point favorites, according to ESPN.com. They were previously 9.5-point favorites before the news of Flowers being out was announced.

The winner will move on to the divisional round the following weekend. With Zay Flowers out of Saturday's game, who do you have winning and advancing to the divisional round?