Steelers Now
The Baltimore Ravens have ruled out staring wide receive Rashod Bateman for Sunday’s winner-take-all Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The team announced on Saturday that Bateman had been downgraded from questionable to out for the Sunday Night Football contest.
Bateman missed practice all week with the illness, and the Ravens elevated wide receiver Keith Kirkwood from the practice squad to help replace him. Former fourth-round draft picks Tylan Wallace and Devontez Walker are the most likely options to replace Bateman in the starting lineup.
In addition to Bateman, cornerback Marlon Humphrey is also questionable to play with an illness. Baltimore did not update his status on Saturday, but did elevate cornerback Amani Oruwiraye from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
While Humphrey may no longer be at his peak from earlier in his career, he remains one of the Ravens’ most vital defensive pieces on the back end. Chidobe Awuzie or T.J. Tampa would likely replace him in the starting lineup.
There is, however, more encouraging news for Baltimore under center. Quarterback Lamar Jackson completed his first full week of practice after dealing with a back injury suffered against the New England Patriots and is expected to start Sunday. His return stabilizes an offense that has been forced to adapt in recent weeks.
Joe Fitzgerald contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ravens Rule Out Starting WR vs. Steelers with Illness
