The Baltimore Ravens will be missing a key part of their offense for the remainder of the 2022 season, as head coach John Harbaugh announced on Thursday that wide receiver Rashod Bateman will miss the rest of the year due to foot surgery. It’s a devastating blow to the offensive unit, and propels all of Baltimore’s other wide receiver depth up one rung on the ladder.
Following the announcement, multiple Ravens players reacted to the news during their media availabilities. Quarterback Lamar Jackson seemed a bit stunned by the news, saying he was just finding out it and calling Bateman his “guy”.
Lamar Jackson on his reaction to losing Rashod Bateman to season-ending foot surgery: pic.twitter.com/8zckEjNNRG
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) November 3, 2022
“I’m just finding out about this. That’s my guy, you know? We were looking forward to having a great, long season, but God had other plans. But I wish him [Rashod Bateman] a speedy recovery. And we’ve got a lot of great guys in our receiving group, and I’ve got full, 100% confidence those guys are going to make things happen for us this season. So, we’re just waiting on ‘Bate’ [Rashod Bateman] to get back. But we’re good.”
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson also reacted, saying that the injury to Bateman is “unfortunate”.
Ravens WR DeSean Jackson called the news of Rashod Bateman’s injury “unfortunate.”
He’s getting ready to play and feeling better each day. “When my number is called, I’ll be prepared.” pic.twitter.com/UExGQcKejD
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) November 3, 2022
The loss of Bateman propels wide receiver Devin Duvernay to the No. 1 role on the depth chart, with others expected to have bigger roles as well. The second-year receiver will now look towards 2023 as he rehabs his injury.