Depleted Ravens rule out Agholor vs. Steelers
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Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens ruled out Nelson Agholor on Friday, which could leave them with a very inexperienced wide receiver group heading into a pivotal AFC North game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There had been hope Agholor could get cleared from the concussion protocol for Saturday’s game against the Steelers. But the Ravens downgraded their No. 3 wide receiver to out, which is an untimely loss for quarterback Lamar Jackson and the NFL’s No. 3 passing attack.
Starting wide receiver Rashod Bateman is questionable with a foot injury after not practicing Thursday. He was walking with a protective boot in the locker room.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh declined to comment on Bateman’s status on Thursday.
“I really have nothing to report on any of that stuff,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll be working through all of those things in the next few hours and few days even, but we’ll be in good shape and be ready to roll on [Saturday].”
The lack of veteran depth of wide receiver is the reason why Baltimore traded for Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 29. But the Ravens will be without Johnson, who was excused from team activities this week. He was recently suspended for one game by the team for refusing to play in a Dec. 1 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Ravens’ only healthy wide receiver on the 53-man roster who has caught more than 10 passes this season is Zay Flowers, who leads Baltimore with 66 receptions for 916 yards. The other wide receivers are: Tylan Wallace, who has 10 catches for 191 yards, and rookie fourth-round pick Devontez Walker, who made his first career catch — a 21-yard touchdown — last Sunday.
Like the Ravens, the Steelers won’t be at full strength at wide receiver. Pittsburgh ruled out leading receiver George Pickens (hamstring) for a third straight game.
Saturday’s game in Baltimore is the biggest one in the AFC North this season. If Pittsburgh (10-4) wins, the Steelers clinch their first division title since 2020. If Baltimore (9-5) wins, the Ravens tie the Steelers atop the AFC North and their chances of winning the division increases to 45%, according to ESPN Analytics.
