Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers has offered a candid take on the team's recent injury struggles, suggesting the team's demanding practice regimen under former head coach John Harbaugh played a significant role. Appearing on the "4th and South" podcast with hosts Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette, Flowers described an intense, full-pads approach that persisted deep into the season.

"Bro, we're [in] full pads all the time," Flowers said with a smile. "However many practices in pads you can get, every single one. We're doing one-on-ones in Week 17... we're tired, we're still going." When asked how players managed the grueling schedule, Flowers was blunt: "We don't. Low key, that's why we had a lot of injuries – because of how we practiced, how we went. The load was heavy."

The Ravens were indeed hit hard by injuries early in the 2025 season, notably missing star quarterback Lamar Jackson for four games and seven Pro Bowl players in a single week. While the team rallied to finish strong with a 7-4 record over their final 11 games, the conversation highlights the delicate balance coaches must strike between preparation and player preservation.

Flowers expressed optimism that the coaching change to first-time head coach Jesse Minter could help. He believes Minter, familiar with Harbaugh's methods, can implement a smarter workload. "[Minter] knows how we worked with Harbaugh," Flowers noted. "So, he's like, 'You're going to get your work, but it's going to be more strategic.'" For a team built on physicality, finding that optimal practice intensity could be key to maintaining peak performance on game day.