Ravens first-round pick to miss at least three weeks on injured reserve

The Baltimore Ravens have placed first-round draft pick Rashod Bateman on injured reserve. He is joined on the reserve list by fellow wide receiver Miles Boykin who played at Notre Dame. Players must wait three weeks before being eligible to return from the injured reserve designation.

Raven’s first-round pick is out

“Ravens moved first-round pick Rashod Bateman and Miles Boykin to the Reserve/Injured list and signed tight end Eric Tomlinson to the 53-man roster,” reported ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday. “Boykin and Bateman will be required to miss at least the first three weeks of the season, but will be eligible to return in Week 4.”

Bateman was drafted by the Ravens with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Bateman was the first player from Minnesota drafted in the first round since 2006. Early in training camp, Bateman suffered an injury that required groin surgery and has been away from practice since Aug. 10.

By moving Bateman to the injured reserve list after the deadline to finalize 53-man rosters, the Ravens will have the option to bring Bateman back during the season when he is ready. Bateman will be forced to miss at least three weeks by being placed on this list.

Boykin’s injury designation comes after he suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him out since early August as well. The young receiver has helped Baltimore as a valuable deep threat option in his two years with the Ravens since being drafted in 2019. Boykin will be out at least three weeks as well as he recovers.

Ravens active receivers

The loss of two receivers has created a need at the position for Baltimore as they prepare to begin their season. The Ravens currently have five wideouts on their active roster — Marquise Brown, Sammy Watkins, James Proche II, Devin Duvernay and Tylan Wallace.

Thinning an already hobbled lineup, Brown and Watkins both have dealt with injuries in preseason as well. Brown is also battling a hamstring injury, while Watkins suffered an undisclosed minor injury that kept him away from practice.

Both Brown and Watkins have returned to practice this week after missing significant time in practice, giving them just a few weeks to get ready for their season-opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.