Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens. (Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports)
The Baltimore Ravens will be without rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a few weeks.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on Wednesday morning that his team will be without first-round rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a few weeks, as he recovers from a groin injury suffered in practice on Tuesday.
Baltimore used the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on the former Minnesota Golden Gophers star wide receiver. Given that Baltimore has one of the least impressive passing offenses in football, not having a bona-fide talent in Bateman available for what looks to be the better part of the preseason is a huge deal. The Ravens were counting on him being an impact player in 2021.
The Ravens will have to adjust to life without Bateman in the receiving corps for a few weeks.
Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman out for weeks with groin injury
On paper, Baltimore is one of a handful of teams who can realistically represent the AFC in Super Bowl 56. With franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson finally winning a playoff game last year, his team needs to get to the AFC Championship game this year. Otherwise, the 2021 NFL season will be viewed as a massive disappointment for Ravens Flock. They need to be a final four team.
While Bateman is not going to change the world at wide receiver for the Ravens, his addition to the roster will certainly help bring along Jackson as a passer in his fourth year in the league out of Louisville. A more balanced offense will serve Baltimore in its quest to hoist a third Lombardi Trophy. For now, we may not see Bateman in Ravens uniform until the start of the regular season.
Baltimore has time to adjust, but this is not the type of injury news that can sit well with the fans.