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The Ravens lost another wide receiver to injury during Tuesday’s training camp practice.
According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, rookie first-round pick Rashod Bateman left practice early after pulling up on a route and falling to the ground. Bateman left the field with a limp.
Story of today’s practice was an injury to first-round WR Rashod Bateman. Bateman pulled up while running a slant against Peters and then fell immediately to ground. Walked to building with pronounced limp. DeCosta followed him in building.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) August 10, 2021
It has since been reported by PFF’s Mario Pilato that Bateman suffered a groin injury.
#Ravens WR Rashod Bateman is dealing with a groin injury. Grade 1: 2-3 weeks, Grade 2: 3-6 weeks, Grade 3: 3-4 months. With the reports I am seeing I fear a Grade 2 is a possibility. https://t.co/K72E2qObJ9
— Mario Pilato (@PFF_Mario) August 10, 2021
As Pilato stated, a Grade 2 injury would sideline Bateman for 3-6 weeks with the season just a little over a month away. Bateman has missed several practices before this with muscle tightness and has yet to spend notable practice time with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who also missed 10 days due to COVID-19. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has missed practice since the first day of training camp with a hamstring injury.
With Week 1 of the regular season quickly approaching, the time to build chemistry as an offense is dwindling, especially with the absence of several key offensive linemen, including left tackle Ronnie Stanley, right guard Kevin Zeitler, and now center Bradley Bozeman.
Baltimore selected the Minnesota receiver with the No. 27 overall pick in the first round of the draft. The team also brought in veteran Sammy Watkins to hopefully boost the Ravens’ lackluster receiving corps and passing attack from last season. Watkins has remained healthy throughout offseason practices, but he has an extensive injury history, only playing in all 16 games once since being drafted by the Bills in 2014.
Third-year Miles Boykin has also missed time with a hamstring injury. Boykin is presumably battling with 2020 sixth-round pick James Proche for a roster spot this season.