Boykin, Bateman Return to Practice for Ravens

Wide receivers have been IR.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ravens wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin returned to practice Wednesday and could be available Week 4 against the Denver Broncos.

Both players were placed on IR during training camp.

Ravens now have 14 players on IR. Of those 14, tight end Nick Boyle, linebacker Daelin Hayes, offensive lineman Tyre Phillips and cornerback Chris Westry could return this season. 

Baltimore has 10 players with season-ending injuries.

Bateman, the 27th overall pick in this year's draft, underwent groin surgery in early August.

Bateman was impressive throughout the offseason workouts with his route running and ability to catch the ball downfield. He's expected to make a major impact on the offense this season.

Dear Ravens Fans,

Please give Rashod some time to catch up. That injury bothers you for months even after you have been “fixed”. He will get better every week. https://t.co/kcbmeaoqqF

— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 29, 2021

Boykin has been sidelined since early August with a hamstring injury. Last season, he finished with 13 catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ravens have five healthy wide receivers on the current 53-man roster — Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, James Proche II, Devin Duvernay and Tylan Wallace.

Baltimore has also not gotten much production from the second tight end, Josh Oliver (2 receptions, 15 yards), so perhaps Boykin can line up in that position. 

Boykin is a solid blocker and has good hands. Coach John Harbaugh said this offseason many of Boykins' duties at wide receiver translate into the tight end position.

“So, some of the stuff in terms of the inside-type of route-running or crossing routes and things like that, he already does," Harbaugh said. "You try to put guys in a position to do the jobs that they can do well."

Boykin is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and would need to add some bulk. 

"Miles [Boykin] has been in there doing some of that at times, especially in the run game; he’s run some of those routes as well," Harbaugh said. "So, he’s kind of been in there doing that to some degree, but there’s a learning process with all that, as well, and we’ve got Willie doing a lot of that already. So, that’s kind of where that stands.”