Texans, Ravens Banged Up Heading Into Divisional Round Matchup
The attrition of the NFL season has taken its toll on the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans ahead of their AFC Divisional Round matchup.
Despite having a bye week, the Ravens had eight players on their Tuesday injury report. Among the most worrisome are cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who didn't practice due to a calf injury, and rookie receiver Zay Flowers, who was limited due to a calf issue that had him on the injury report late in the regular season. Flowers had nine catches for 78 yards in the Ravens' 25-9 win over Houston in Week 1.
Zay Flowers vs. the Texans
USA Today
Receiver Tylan Wallace (knee) and linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (shoulder) also didn't practice on Tuesday. Tight end Mark Andrews was limited as he recovers from an ankle injury that's had him out since mid-November, and receiver Devin Duvernay (back) was a full participant as they're both designated to return from the injured reserve.
Houston has been hit with the injury bug coming off its 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wild Card round on Saturday at NRG Stadium. Receiver Noah Brown, who had 33 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season, suffered a shoulder injury in the win and was placed on the IR, ending his season.
Houston signed Damiere Byrd to its practice squad on Wednesday after placing Brown on IR. Byrd figures to be a candidate to be elevated vs. the Ravens with Brown out and fellow receivers Robert Woods (hip) and John Metchie III (foot) being limited on Tuesday.
The Texans have 13 players on their injury report, including their top pass rushers, WIll Anderson Jr. and Jonathan Greenard, who were each limited with ankle injuries. That tandem combined for 19.5 sacks in the regular season.
Houston defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who was third on the team with six sacks, didn't practice due to rib and ankle injuries.
At this point in the season, every team is banged up, and players are often playing through nagging injuries with their team's season on the line. For Baltimore, having this many injuries after a bye week and heading into a matchup with a much-improved Texans team compared to Week 1 is a cause for concern. Whoever advances to the AFC Championship game may come down to who's healthier and has the better depth.
Baltimore faces Houston on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium in the AFC Divisional Round.
