Ravens add receiver depth as Flowers’ status stays in focus before Dallas

Baltimore added another receiver Tuesday. It is still waiting to learn whether its leading option will be back for Dallas.

The Ravens signed Shedrick Jackson to the practice squad on September 22, adding depth while Zay Flowers deals with a hamstring injury and rookie Ja’Kobi Lane remains on injured reserve with a wrist injury, according to the team’s announcement.

Jackson joins Xavier Guillory and Gage Larvadain among the practice-squad receivers. He has appeared in 10 NFL games with Cincinnati and Las Vegas, catching four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders last season.

That move gives Baltimore another receiver in the building. It does not establish that Jackson will be elevated for Sunday or settle Flowers’ availability.

Wednesday brings the next injury checkpoint

Head coach Jesse Minter offered an encouraging assessment Monday but stopped short of declaring players ready to return. The team’s official news report said he expected to know more Wednesday about several injured players. Flowers missed the 24-17 loss to New Orleans, while defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and linebacker Teddye Buchanan have yet to make their season debuts.

For the passing game, the next question is whether Flowers can rejoin the group that faced the Saints. Chris Moore played the second-most receiver snaps behind Rashod Bateman in that game, according to the team’s report on Jackson’s signing.

A different challenge against Prescott

The defense also has corrections to make before facing Dallas. New Orleans scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points Sunday, turning Baltimore’s lead into its first loss of the season.

The Ravens sacked Tyler Shough three times but did not record a fourth-quarter sack. In the team’s Tuesday report, Minter pointed to tackling, pursuit angles and execution as areas that needed improvement. Those problems put the focus on finishing possessions, even with Baltimore allowing just 274.5 yards per game through two weeks.

Dallas presents an immediate test. Dak Prescott completed 73.8 percent of his passes in the Cowboys’ first two games and threw four touchdown passes against Washington on Sunday, according to Baltimore’s report.

The Ravens are scheduled to face the Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on September 27 at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. Minter said Baltimore would practice Wednesday and Thursday, then depart Thursday night and arrive Friday morning.