Ravens first-round pick Rashod Bateman leaves practice with injury

Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Rashod Bateman exited practice Tuesday. NFL Network’s Ian Rapport reported that the Minnesota product pulled up lame and suffered a soft tissue injury. Bateman went to the ground at practice while running a slant against cornerback Marcus Peters.

There is no structural damage. The wideout’s injury comes after he missed several practices last week due to muscle tightness.

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafalo reported evaluations on Bateman’s injury are ongoing. He will be out for a while, but not a crazy length of time.

Impact of injury on Ravens wide receiver depth

Baltimore used one of its two first-round picks on Bateman for a reason. The Ravens wide receiver room struggled with depth last season. And while Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins provide two strong options for Lamar Jackson, Bateman was an immediate upgrade.

Throughout training camp, Bateman has impressed with his route-running ability. With a 6-foot-1, 193-pound frame, the wideout is athletic and versatile and opens up the passing game for the Ravens.

Jackson turned to tight end Mark Andrews and running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards repeatedly last season. The goal of adding Bateman was to take the focus of Andrew, Dobbins and Edwards while strengthening the wide receiver corps.

Bateman might not see much more action this preseason but having him available for the regular season is crucial for the Ravens.

What Rashod Bateman brings to Baltimore

Rashod Bateman emerged as an elite receiver during his time at Minnesota.

He recorded 147 catches for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in his three seasons with the Gophers, becoming the first Minnesota player to get selected in the first round since 2006. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and a semifinalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award as a sophomore.

“He’s a no-nonsense guy, has a nice demeanor about him,” John Harbaugh said. “He’s a quick learner. He’s everything we thought he would be in terms of the athleticism, the skillset. That’s usually the case, but not always the case. What you see is not always what you get. You don’t know until you get them out there, in really the first rookie minicamp. And I would say that he is as advertised from a talent standpoint.”

The Ravens signed him to a four-year $12.6 million contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus in May.