Zay Flowers enjoyed his first 1,000-yard season in 2024 but used the offseason to return even better.
A knee injury in the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns sidelined Flowers for Baltimore's two playoff games and left a sour taste in his mouth. After his knee got healthy, Flowers spent the offseason working overtime. He ran hills wearing a weighted vest and worked on specific movements and drills with a personal trainer.
The results have shown in training camp, with Flowers separating from defensive backs and making nifty moves after the catch. He took Lamar Jackson's first pass of training camp for a long touchdown after exploding past Ravens defensive backs.
Flowers reached a top speed of 21.38 mph last season, according to Next Gen Stats. It might be hard to imagine a faster Flowers, but he believes his speed has increased, which will make him harder to defend.
"It (the injury) definitely motivated me to get back on the field, push my rehab and therapy," Flowers said. "I feel better than before. I feel like I got faster, I got stronger. I feel better than before I got hurt. A lot of people said I got faster, more explosive."
Flowers' ability to run routes effectively as both an outside and slot receiver makes him a matchup nightmare for opponents. He's hoping to use his versatility to create favorable matchups that lead to more deep ball connections with Jackson.
"I think we're going to hit a lot more," Flowers said. "Way more than we did last year. We've been working on it, too."
Jaire Alexander Among Monday's Absences
Newly acquired cornerback Jaire Alexander missed Monday's practice (knee), but Head Coach John Harbaugh expected Alexander to return as early as Tuesday.
"He had a little swelling," Harbaugh said. "We drained his knee today, he should be back tomorrow."
Alexander's 2024 season ended after seven games due to a reported PCL knee injury, which he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair.
Veteran cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis left practice early and will undergo an MRI.
"I don't think it's too serious, but we'll find out," Harbaugh said.
Rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone (shoulder) did not practice after Harbaugh said he landed on his shoulder. Harbaugh said he expects Kone to be back "very soon."
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman sat out Monday's practice with an illness. Veteran inside linebacker and special teams ace Jake Hummel (hand) returned to practice after being out last week.
DeAndre Hopkins' Experience Is a Valuable Asset
Entering his 13th season but his first training camp with the Ravens, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is doing more than just making plays. His knowledge and experience have left an impression on his teammates, particularly among the wide receivers.
"D-Hop's been doing this for what, 13 years?" Flowers said. "I was 11 years old when he started doing it. He knows what he's doing, he knows how to get the younger guys going, he knows how to get himself going."
Wide Receivers Coach Greg Lewis is not surprised by the impact Hopkins is having.
"To make it in the NFL 13 years, you have to be doing something right," Lewis said. "He's had a Hall of Fame career. Taking care of his body. Study habits. These younger guys are picking up that information on how he goes about his work, and they're taking it to heart. Hopefully, we get those guys 13 years in the league."
Lewis Is Impressed With LaJohntay Wester's Movement Skills
While rookie wide receiver LaJohntay Wester is trying to separate in the Ravens' wide-open punt return competition, his position coach is impressed with his separation skills.
Wester was one of the Ravens' standouts during organized team activities. Now in training camp and with the pads coming on, it will be interesting to see how the 5-foot-9, 170-pound receiver adjusts.
"He has great movement skills, great quickness, and he's able to separate and uncover," Lewis said. "As a receiver, I don't care how big you are, or how short you are, how fast you are – receiving is about uncovering and separating. He has a knack for being able to do that, and he's a smart kid. He understands what we're asking him to do."
