is zay flowers playing this week is still an open question for Baltimore Ravens fans as the team prepares to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Flowers is officially listed as questionable because of a hamstring injury, and Baltimore plans to evaluate him during a pregame workout before making the final decision. The latest update indicates that the receiver has a genuine chance to play, but the Ravens are also preparing for the possibility that he will remain sidelined.
Flowers has been dealing with the injury since Baltimore’s season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. He missed the Ravens’ Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, but he returned to limited practice during the team’s preparation for Dallas.
That return to practice represented a positive step. It did not, however, guarantee that Flowers would be available for Sunday’s game.
The Ravens are scheduled to meet the Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. ET at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The final decision on Flowers is expected before kickoff.
Latest Zay Flowers Injury Update
Flowers’ status remains one of the most closely watched developments around the Ravens on Sunday.
The wide receiver is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Baltimore has not ruled him out, which leaves the door open for a return after missing the previous game.
The latest pregame information indicates that Flowers will test the injured hamstring before the game. The workout will give Baltimore another opportunity to determine whether he can handle football activity at game speed.
That evaluation is especially important for a receiver.
Flowers’ role requires quick acceleration, sharp cuts and repeated changes of direction. A player can feel better during normal movement but still experience problems when asked to make explosive plays.
For that reason, the Ravens are taking the final decision close to kickoff.
The current situation can be summarized simply:
- Flowers is questionable.
- His injury is a hamstring issue.
- He missed Baltimore’s Week 2 game.
- He returned to limited practice Friday.
- He is scheduled for a pregame workout.
- Baltimore has not ruled him out.
- The team is also preparing to play without him.
Why Flowers’ Status Changed During the Week
The outlook surrounding Flowers developed gradually.
He did not practice when Baltimore began its preparation for Dallas. That created concern that he could miss another game.
The situation remained uncertain later in the week as the Ravens continued monitoring him.
Flowers then returned to practice Friday in Brazil. He was limited during the session, giving the team its first significant indication that a return could be possible.
Baltimore ultimately listed him as questionable rather than ruling him out.
That distinction is important.
A questionable designation means the team has not made a final decision on whether the player will participate. It does not mean that he has been cleared.
Flowers therefore entered Sunday with a legitimate opportunity to play, while his final status remained dependent on the pregame evaluation.
How the Injury Started
Flowers suffered the hamstring injury during Baltimore’s Week 1 game against Indianapolis.
Before leaving the contest, he delivered one of the most productive performances of his career.
He caught five passes for 150 yards and scored a touchdown as Baltimore defeated the Colts 41-23.
His 150 receiving yards came on only five catches. That production showed how much explosiveness he can provide to the Ravens’ offense.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, Flowers could not continue the game after the injury.
The timing was particularly significant because the Ravens had opened the season with an aggressive passing attack. Flowers had quickly become one of the biggest factors in the offense before the hamstring problem interrupted his performance.
He then entered the following week focused on recovery rather than returning immediately to game action.
Flowers Missed the Ravens’ Second Game
Baltimore ultimately ruled Flowers out for its Week 2 matchup against New Orleans.
The decision meant Lamar Jackson entered the game without one of his most dynamic receiving targets.
The Ravens initially built a 14-3 halftime lead, but New Orleans rallied and eventually won 24-17.
Rashod Bateman stepped into a larger role and finished with seven receptions for 88 yards.
That performance gave Baltimore an important alternative in the receiving corps. However, Flowers’ absence still changed how the offense could attack opposing coverage.
His ability to stretch a defense vertically and create separation after the catch gives Baltimore another dimension.
The Ravens will therefore be watching his pregame workout closely before deciding whether he can return.
Why the Limited Practice Was Important
Flowers’ Friday practice was one of the biggest developments of the week.
He had been absent from practice earlier in the week, so seeing him participate in a limited session represented measurable progress.
The practice also allowed Baltimore’s medical and coaching staffs to evaluate his movement.
Still, limited participation should not be confused with full clearance.
The Ravens need to know whether Flowers can tolerate the demands of a full NFL game.
That includes accelerating from a standing position, changing direction, running routes at full speed and absorbing contact.
A pregame workout provides another checkpoint before the final decision.
If Flowers responds well, Baltimore can activate him.
If the hamstring remains a concern, the team can hold him out for another week.
What Baltimore Said About His Chances
Head coach Jesse Minter indicated during the week that Flowers had a real opportunity to contribute against Dallas.
That represented a more encouraging outlook than the beginning of the week.
The receiver’s return to practice reinforced that possibility.
However, Baltimore has continued to treat the situation carefully.
The Ravens do not want to risk turning a hamstring problem into a longer absence by bringing Flowers back before he is ready.
That approach explains why his status remains unresolved shortly before kickoff.
The final determination will come after the pregame evaluation.
What Flowers’ Return Would Mean for Baltimore
Flowers’ potential return would give Jackson another explosive option in the passing game.
His Week 1 performance showed exactly what he can bring when healthy. Five receptions produced 150 yards and a touchdown, with several significant gains helping Baltimore generate points.
The Ravens would welcome that type of explosiveness against Dallas.
His presence would also change how the Cowboys can defend Baltimore’s receiving group.
With Flowers available, defenders have to account for his speed and route-running ability. That can create opportunities for other players as well.
Bateman could benefit from the additional attention given to Flowers.
Tight end Mark Andrews could also remain an important part of the passing attack.
The Ravens have several offensive weapons, but Flowers gives the group a specific big-play element.
What Happens If Flowers Cannot Play
Baltimore already has experience operating without Flowers this season.
The Ravens used Bateman more heavily against New Orleans, and he responded with seven receptions for 88 yards.
Other receivers would also have to absorb additional opportunities if Flowers is inactive against Dallas.
The exact distribution would depend on Baltimore’s game plan.
Jackson could lean more heavily on Bateman and the tight ends while the Ravens also use their running game to control the matchup.
Baltimore’s offensive system does not depend entirely on one receiver.
Still, losing Flowers removes an important explosive threat.
That is why his final status remains one of the most significant pregame questions surrounding the team.
Rashod Bateman Could Again Have a Bigger Role
Bateman’s Week 2 performance is especially relevant if Flowers cannot return.
He caught seven passes for 88 yards against New Orleans and became a major part of Baltimore’s passing attack.
His production demonstrated that the Ravens can still move the ball without Flowers.
However, the two receivers do not simply provide identical roles.
Flowers has established himself as a major downfield and after-the-catch threat. Bateman can also make big plays, but Baltimore’s offensive structure changes when Flowers is absent.
If Flowers is active, Bateman could benefit from having another major receiving threat alongside him.
If Flowers is inactive, Bateman could once again see increased attention from Jackson.
The Importance of the Pregame Workout
The pregame workout is the next major checkpoint in this situation.
Flowers will have an opportunity to test his hamstring before Baltimore makes the final call.
The workout matters because practice participation earlier in the week does not completely answer whether a player is ready for a competitive game.
The Ravens need confidence that Flowers can move freely without significant limitation.
A successful workout could clear the way for him to return.
A poor response could lead the team to keep him inactive.
The timing also means fantasy football managers and Ravens fans may need to wait until close to kickoff for definitive news.
Why a Hamstring Injury Requires Caution
Hamstring injuries can be particularly challenging for wide receivers.
The position involves repeated bursts of acceleration and sudden changes in direction. Those movements can place considerable demand on the back of the leg.
Flowers’ style makes those requirements even more relevant.
He relies on quickness and separation to create opportunities.
That means Baltimore cannot simply ask whether he can jog or run in a straight line. The team needs to determine whether he can perform the movements required during an NFL game.
The final workout should help answer that question.
Baltimore’s medical staff will have to weigh his current condition against the risks associated with returning too quickly.
The Ravens’ Week 3 Situation
Baltimore enters the Dallas game with a 1-1 record.
The Ravens opened the season by beating Indianapolis 41-23 before losing 24-17 to New Orleans.
Dallas also enters the international matchup at 1-1.
The game in Brazil therefore gives Baltimore an opportunity to move back above .500.
The matchup also creates a unique travel situation because the teams are playing at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.
Flowers’ availability adds another layer to the Ravens’ preparations.
Baltimore must decide whether its leading receiver is healthy enough to contribute or whether the offense should continue without him.
What Fantasy Managers Should Watch
Flowers’ questionable status is particularly important for fantasy football lineups.
Managers should not assume that his return to limited practice means he will automatically play.
The final inactive announcement remains the key confirmation.
Because the Ravens-Cowboys game begins at 4:25 p.m. ET, fantasy managers have additional time to monitor the situation compared with players involved in early Sunday games.
If Flowers is inactive, Bateman becomes a more prominent option in Baltimore’s passing attack.
If Flowers is active, his exact workload will become another important factor.
There is no confirmed announcement of a specific snap limit at this stage.
That means fantasy managers should wait for official game-day information rather than relying on assumptions about his workload.
What Fans Should Expect Before Kickoff
The most important update will come from Baltimore’s final game-day decision.
Flowers has not been ruled out.
He has also not been confirmed as active.
The Ravens are preparing to test him before the game and then decide whether he can safely participate.
That makes his situation different from a player who has already been declared out.
It also differs from a player who has already been cleared.
Flowers sits between those two outcomes.
His limited Friday practice gives him a path toward returning, but the pregame workout remains critical.
The Final Answer on Flowers’ Status
For anyone searching is zay flowers playing this week, the latest confirmed answer is that Flowers remains a game-time decision for Baltimore’s Week 3 matchup against Dallas.
The Ravens have listed him as questionable because of his hamstring injury.
He missed the Week 2 loss to New Orleans but returned to limited practice Friday.
Baltimore plans to evaluate him before kickoff.
The team has not ruled him out, but the latest pregame reporting indicates that the Ravens are not relying on him to be available.
That leaves two possible outcomes.
Flowers could successfully complete the workout and return to the lineup after missing one game.
Or Baltimore could decide that another week of recovery is the safer option.
Until the official inactive list is released, neither outcome should be presented as confirmed.
For Ravens fans, the key development will come shortly before the Cowboys game when Baltimore makes its final decision.
Stay tuned for the final Ravens game-day update, and share your thoughts on whether Flowers will return against Dallas.