ExtremeRavens Posted Wednesday at 03:42 PM Posted Wednesday at 03:42 PM Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is not expected to play Sunday in Cleveland against the Browns after suffering a high ankle sprain in this past week’s win over the Vikings in Minnesota, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Sun. Bateman, 25, said that he suffered the injury midway through the third quarter on a 10-yard completion to the Vikings’ 1-yard line when cornerback Isaiah Rodgers fell on him as he dragged him to the ground. He remained in the game and caught a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter, but afterward left U.S. Bank Stadium in a walking boot on his right foot. Coach John Harbaugh didn’t say how long Bateman could be sidelined, but the type of injury he has could keep him out for a game or two, depending on how he responds to treatment. “I think he’s going to be OK,” Harbaugh said Monday. “We’ll see how serious it is going forward. … We will probably know more on Wednesday.” Harbaugh also said he believes Rodgers used an illegal hip-drop tackle on the play. No flag was thrown — only three have been since the tackle was banned at the start of last season — though several players have been fined after the fact. The Browns game would be the first that the fifth-year receiver has missed because of an injury since a hamstring injury sidelined him for a 2023 Week 3 contest — also in Cleveland — after groin and foot injuries plagued his first two seasons in the league. With Bateman out, Baltimore (4-5), which has won three in a row and moved within a game of the first-place Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, will likely increase snaps for veteran DeAndre Hopkins, who has averaged just over 17 snaps along with two targets per game this season. Veteran Tylan Wallace and second-year receiver Devontez Walker could also see increased roles, as could the team’s three tight ends. Bateman, who signed a three-year, $36.75 million extension in June, has gotten off to a slow start this year. After career highs in yards (756) and touchdowns (nine) in 2024, he has just 16 catches on 31 targets for 194 yards and two touchdowns in nine games. Still, given his dynamic route-running and ability to stretch the field, losing him for any length of time would be a blow to an offense that has been inconsistent and ranks 20th in yards per game (318.8) and 27th in red zone scoring (50%). The Ravens are also trying to sweep the Browns (2-7) for the first time since the 2020 season after beating them 41-17 in Week 2 in Baltimore. The schedule should at least help if Bateman does have an extended absence. After Cleveland, the Ravens return home to face the New York Jets (2-7) on Nov. 23. They’ll then have a quick turnaround, though, with a Thanksgiving night game in Baltimore against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6). Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. View the full article Quote
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