Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers Has 'No Limits' From Knee Injury
Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers Has 'No Limits' From Knee Injury originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Zay Flowers missed the Baltimore Ravens' 2024 playoff run with a knee injury. Flowers was able to avoid surgery during the offseason and is on track to be fully healthy for a 2025 campaign.
Advertisement
"My knee's great," Flowers said on Tuesday. "I feel 100%. I feel like I'm ready to go, ready for the season, no limits."
Flowers' return to form has caused offensive coordinator Todd Monken to think of new ways to utilize Flowers.
'We've just got to get him the ball more,' Monken said, via the Ravens' website. 'He's an unbelievable football player. He's not only an outside receiver that has elite route-running skills, but he's unbelievable with the ball in his hands. So you have a guy that really plays two spots. I'm not sure he can use that in his contract negotiations. But I'm just saying you can use him in a variety of roles to get him the ball, which allows your volume to go up. He's a volume catch guy. You can use him in novelty screens, getting him the ball down the field. I expect him to take another leap. When you make it to the Pro Bowl, or you're an All-Pro, you're pretty good."
Monken made mention of Flowers' contract, as Flowers is extension eligible for the first time in 2025. If Monken can feature Flowers in the offense more and he can stay healthy, the former first-round pick could be looking for a hefty payday.
Advertisement
Flowers posted his first career 1,000 yard season in 2024, talking 1,059 yards and four touchdowns on 74 receptions, earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.
It's not just Monken who wants to get Flowers more involved. According to Flowers, Lamar Jackson is already trying to take team bonding to the next level in 2025, bringing the group together as a whole and developing more chemistry.
"This year, he wants to do a lot more meeting, he wants to do team stuff, do a lot more personal stuff with us just to get that team comradery to a good level," Flowers said.
Flowers and Jackson worked out together in South Florida during the offseason, as they have done in years past. Flowers said those extra workout sessions are always beneficial to getting on the same page with his quarterback.
Advertisement
"It's just getting our timing down," Flowers said. "Like if we're running routes, he'll say: 'Run it this way' or 'I like how you ran it this way.' It's talking a lot and detailing the small things that he wants to get down."
Related: Ravens Update Zay Flowers' Injury Recovery
Related: Former Ravens Kicker To Sell Baltimore-Area Home
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
15 minutes ago
- USA Today
Key dates on the NFL's 2025-2026 league calendar that will impact the Eagles
Key dates on the NFL's 2025-2026 league calendar that will impact the Eagles The NFL's official calendar for the next year has been released, and the league unveiled about two dozen key dates starting in July and extending until next summer. The NFL's official calendar for the next year has been released, and the league unveiled about two dozen key dates starting in July and extending until next summer. Philadelphia now knows when they'll need to trim the roster down to 53 players, and a hint at the looming trade deadline. With the next year's schedule now completed, here are the key dates to watch. July 15 -- Franchise tag The Eagles don't have any players on the tag. Still, for players like Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith, July 15 is the deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such a player to a multiyear contract or extension. The Chiefs placed their non-exclusive franchise tag on Smith on Feb. 28. The Pro Bowl offensive lineman will earn $23.4 million on the tag unless a new deal is agreed to before the July 15 deadline. Smith, 26, has started 77 games, including postseason, since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2025 season, and no long-term extension can happen until after the final regular season game. Mid July The Eagles' rookies and select veterans will report to the NovaCare Complex for training camp. July 31 -Hall of Fame Game, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Detroit Lions, Canton, Ohio. Jim Harbaugh's revamped Chargers will face Dan Campbell's new-look Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio. Aug 26: Rosters must be cut down to 53 players After several seasons with multiple cutdown days, the NFL returned to one deadline for teams to trim their rosters. The deadline was adjusted before the 2020 COVID-19-impacted seasons: Roster reduction from 90 to 85 Roster reduction from 85 to 80 Final roster reduction from 80 to 53 Teams can release players at their discretion, but not having three different cutdown dates no longer puts pressure on them during the summer. Aug 31- Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs For the Eagles and every other NFL team, September 1 is a holiday, and the official start of the 2025 regular season. September 1-6 -- Injury reports The first week of September means teams around the league will start officially releasing injury reports. November 4- NFL Trade Deadline The week after Halloween will be exciting this year as teams anticipate an early trade deadline. January 5 - Fifth-year options for players selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft This is the first day that Howie Roseman can offer Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith long-term extensions. The expectation is that Carter will reset the market and could become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Jan 10-12 Wild Card Weekend powered by Verizon Jan 17-18 Divisional Playoffs presented by Intuit TurboTax Jan 25, AFC and NFC Championship Games presented by Intuit TurboTax. February 8 Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California) February 17 Franchise tag Depending on the season, they have Dallas Goedert, Jordan Davis, or Kenyon Green, who could be a candidate for the franchise tag. March 9-11 Free Agency "legal tampering" opens Philadelphia will have over 30 players set to hit the open market. April 23-25 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Philadelphia currently has 13 picks and could acquire more.


USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
3 major trade packages Patriots could offer for Falcons TE Kyle Pitts
3 major trade packages Patriots could offer for Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Few NFL prospects have entered the league with as much hype as Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. The former Florida Gator was a matchup nightmare in college and a tight end in name only. At 6-foot-6 with elite speed, Pitts was billed as a unicorn, a hybrid weapon too athletic for linebackers and too big for corners. That promise led to him being selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Falcons, which is the highest a tight end has ever gone. Since then, the results have Pitts had a strong rookie year, finishing with over 1,000 receiving yards, but he hasn't come close to replicating that production since. His last three seasons: 2022 : 28 receptions, 356 yards, 2 touchdowns : 28 receptions, 356 yards, 2 touchdowns 2023 : 53 receptions, 667 yards, 3 touchdowns : 53 receptions, 667 yards, 3 touchdowns 2024: 47 receptions, 602 yards, 1 touchdown Injuries, inconsistent quarterback play and schematic misuse have all contributed to his stalled development. Now entering his age-25 season and the final year of his rookie deal (with a fully guaranteed $10.8M fifth-year option), Pitts is at a crossroads, and Atlanta may be willing to move on. For the Patriots, this could be a rare buying opportunity. Why Kyle Pitts Makes Sense for New England The Patriots are in the early stages of rebuilding around rookie quarterback Drake Maye. They have cap space, a need for more offensive firepower and the flexibility to take calculated swings on upside talent. Pitts checks every box. If he succeeds, he becomes a core piece of the Maye era. If not, they move on after the season with minimal long-term damage. It's the kind of risk a team in New England's position should be taking, especially considering the relatively weak tight end market in both free agency and the draft. With that in mind, let's break down three potential trade packages the Patriots could explore to acquire Pitts. Option A: Conditional draft pick flyer Patriots receive: Kyle Pitts 2026 seventh-round pick Falcons receive: 2026 fourth-round pick (conditional) Condition Details: Becomes a third-round pick if Pitts makes a Pro Bowl or All-Pro in 2025 and signs a new deal below top-10 tight end AAV Becomes a second-round pick if Pitts makes a Pro Bowl or All-Pro and signs a deal above top-10 TE AAV Remains a fourth-rounder if the Patriots let him walk in free agency or if he underperforms. If he extends, above or below top-10 tight end AAV, but doesn't make Pro Bowl or All-Pro, it is a fourth-rounder. Why it works:This is a classic "prove-it" trade. Atlanta gets future value if Pitts thrives in New England, while the Patriots protect themselves from overpaying. A flexible structure like this can bridge the gap between perceived value and actual production. Option B: Aggressive draft capital move Patriots receive: Kyle Pitts 2026 seventh-round pick Falcons receive: 2026 third-round pick 2026 sixth-round pick (acquired from Kansas City in the Joshua Uche trade) Why it works:This version skips conditions and sweeteners. It's a more aggressive approach from New England, offering a Day 2 pick and an additional sixth-rounder to entice Atlanta. The pick swap (seventh for sixth) helps slightly balance the scales. If the Patriots believe in Pitts' upside, this is a cleaner, faster deal. Option C: The creative player swap Patriots receive:Kyle Pitts2025 fifth-round pick Falcons receive:Kendrick Bourne (WR)Austin Hooper (TE)2025 sixth-round pick Why it works:This is a rare player-for-player trade that could benefit both teams. The Patriots send out two veteran contributors—Kendrick Bourne, who is coming off an injury and may be on the roster bubble, and Austin Hooper, a serviceable TE2 who signed as depth. In return, they get a younger, more dynamic player in Pitts, while preserving draft flexibility. Pitts wouldn't need to be the focal point right away, sitting behind Hunter Henry and surrounded by targets like Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams. He could develop without pressure while the Patriots evaluate his long-term fit. Atlanta gets two experienced, lower-cost veterans to help a playoff-caliber roster, while moving on from a player who may need a change of scenery. Plus, they pick up an extra Day 3 pick in the process. Final thoughts: Should the Patriots pull the trigger? If the price is right, absolutely. Kyle Pitts hasn't lived up to the No. 4 overall hype, but that doesn't mean his value is gone. He's still a 25-year-old, 6-foot-6 athletic freak with a 1,000-yard season on his résumé. For a rebuilding team with a young quarterback on a rookie deal, a stable veteran tight end in Henry and a glaring need for explosive upside, Pitts is a gamble worth taking. Whether it's a conditional pick, a draft package or a creative player swap, the Patriots have the flexibility and motivation to make something happen. The only question is: Do they believe they can unlock what Atlanta couldn't? Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Padres Make Manny Machado Announcement on Thursday
Padres Make Manny Machado Announcement on Thursday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After winning the first two outings of their four-game series against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, the San Diego Padres failed to sustain their form, as they lost the final two contests. Advertisement They punctuated that series with a 3-2 loss on Thursday night, but if there's one positive takeaway for San Diego from that contest, it's that star third baseman Manny Machado reached a major milestone with his 350th career home run in the big leagues. San Diego announced Machado's impressive achievement with a post on social media. 'Manny is the moment,' San Diego's caption read. The six-time All-Star put the Padres on the board first with a two-run home run off Giants starter Robbie Ray in the top of the third inning. After a ball and a strike in Ray's first two offerings, respectively, Machado turned on the pitcher's 82 mph knuckle curve for a 391-foot dinger that also drove Luis Arraez home for a 2-0 Padres lead. Advertisement Machado joins a short list of active MLB players who have hit at least 350 homers in the big leagues. Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees is on top of that list with 429, while Mike Trout (388) of the Los Angeles Angels and Paul Goldschmidt (368) of the Yankees are second and third, respectively. Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers is fourth with 352 blasts. Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) hits a two-run home run against the L Cox-Imagn Images Still just 32 years old, Machado should be able to reach the 400-home run plateau potentially by 2026 or 2027. Through 61 games in 2025, the two-time Gold Glove winner has hit .317/.382/.498 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. Related: MLB Makes Strong Manny Machado Statement After Padres Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.