Zay Flowers injury update: Latest on Ravens WR for Week 19 Playoffs

The Baltimore Ravens' preparation for Saturday's wild-card showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers has hit a snag. Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers missed practice for the second straight day on Wednesday due to a knee injury sustained in last weekend's victory over the Browns.

Flowers made history this season as the first Ravens receiver to earn Pro Bowl honors. He slowly limped off the field during the second quarter of the Week 18 clash and didn't return. The second-year wideout was spotted in the locker room wearing a brace on his right knee after Wednesday's practice session.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh labeled Flowers' status as "day-to-day" following MRI results on Monday.

"He's going to try to do everything he can do to get back as soon as he can, and we'll see where that takes us," Harbaugh told reporters.

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (Image Source: Imagn)

The potential absence of Flowers could impact the Ravens' passing attack significantly. He led the team with 74 receptions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns this season. His contributions also extended to the ground game, where he added 56 yards on nine carries.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson addressed the possibility of playing without his top target.

"Next guy up... Hopefully we have him, but if not, other guys will step up, and we're going to be ready to roll," Jackson said.

Ravens teammate expresses optimism about Zay Flowers' return

NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans (Image Source: Imagn)

Despite missing consecutive practices, there's a glimmer of hope for Ravens fans. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy shared his confidence about Zay Flowers' availability on his podcast with Gerald McCoy on Wednesday.

"Zay got a little banged up but knowing Zay, he's played when he hasn't practiced, he's a tough little sucker," Van Noy said. "He's from Broward County too, you know how those Broward County kids, they for real over there down in Florida, they love football and he's gonna do everything he can to play. I'm going into it expecting to see him on [Saturday]."

Van Noy's optimism isn't unfounded. Flowers has shown remarkable durability throughout his career, never missing a game due to injury in college or the NFL. Earlier this season, he overcame a questionable designation in Week 8 to record seven catches for 114 yards after missing two practices.

The stakes are high for Saturday's matchup at M&T Bank Stadium. The third-seeded Ravens (12-5) split their regular-season series with the sixth-seeded Steelers (10-7), with each team winning at home. In their most recent meeting three weeks ago, Flowers played a crucial role in Baltimore's 34-17 victory, collecting five catches for 100 yards.

The Ravens have one more walk-through practice scheduled before Saturday's game. That session could provide the final clue about Flowers' availability for this critical playoff contest.