{
  "id": 8126152,
  "title": "Ravens Keeping 'Option' Open for Veteran WR Amid Zay Flowers' Injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/ravens-keeping-option-open-for-veteran-wr-amid-zay-flowers-injury",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T23:50:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/ravens-keeping-option-open-for-veteran-wr-amid-zay-flowers-injury-12457982"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amid Zay Flowers' hamstring injury, the Baltimore Ravens are keeping the option open for veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Flowers missed practice for the second day in a row due to his injury, which occurred in Week 1. The Ravens faced a dilemma as they prepared to host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.\n\nThe team worked out Cooks on Thursday, but no formal signing has taken place yet. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirmed that the Ravens are keeping tabs on the 32-year-old receiver, who has played for several teams including the Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans, Cowboys, and Bills. Cooks appeared in 173 games and started in 149, accumulating 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns.\n\nCooks expressed his preference for returning to the Buffalo Bills this season, stating that he wants to prove himself and have a full offseason with them. However, no deal has been finalized, and he remains unsigned as of Week 2. The Ravens, currently in a competitive playoff position, could be a logical destination for Cooks given their strong season outlook.",
  "summary": "The Baltimore Ravens could add a veteran wide receiver to the 53-man roster later this year to help with a playoff push.",
  "key_points": [
    "Baltimore Ravens considering Brandin Cooks despite Zay Flowers injury",
    "Zay Flowers missed practice due to hamstring injury from Week 1",
    "Cooks has 734 receptions for 9,811 yards and 60 touchdowns"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Ravens' decision to keep Brandin Cooks as an option amid Zay Flowers' injury gives them a flexible response to their current needs without limiting their future roster plans.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}