Baltimore Beatdown
The Baltimore Ravens downgraded wide receiver Rashod Bateman and defensive tackle Taven Bryan from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bateman. 26, has been dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice this week. Head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism about the fifth-year receiver’s status on Thursday, but he was not able to recover in time to take the field.
Bateman’s 2025 season will conclude with just 19 catches on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He has posted lower numbers across the board relative to his breakout 2024 campaign, both in terms of volume and efficiency. Sunday will also be his fourth absence of the season after missing only one over the last two years.
The overall struggles of the Ravens’ passing game certainly contributed to Bateman’s step back, but that road runs both ways. The former first-round pick could not step up as a difference maker and has instead dropped a few crucial passes this year.
Bryan, 29, has been working his way back from a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve at the end of November. He returned to practice at the end of last week and progressed to full participation this week, but the Ravens declined to activate him from IR. They would have to clear a 53-man roster spot to do so, and there is not a clear way to do so. Bryan’s practice window will close next week, so the Ravens will need to make a move if they qualify for the postseason.
For Sunday’s game, the Ravens may roll with a four-man defensive line rotation and deactivate rookie Aeneas Peebles, as they did last week. The potential for the Steelers to lean on their run game with D.K. Metcalf sidelined could be a reason to keep Peebles active on game day.
