Baltimore Ravens star wide receiver Zay Flowers blames former head coach John Harbaugh for team’s nagging injuries

ZAY Flowers has an explanation for the Baltimore Ravens’ recent injury issues.

The 25-year-old Ravens wide receiver is placing the blame on former head coach John Harbaugh, 63.

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Baltimore Ravens star Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before a September 2024 game Credit: Getty

Flowers warms up before an October 2023 game Credit: Getty

Flowers has spoken out against his former head coach’s push for physical practice sessions.

He has suggested that this could be a factor behind the Ravens’ extensive injury list.

The receiver explained his thoughts during his appearance on the 4th and South podcast on Thursday.

Flowers noted that Harbaugh maximized the number of full-padded practices allowed under the collective-bargaining agreement.

He added that this continued throughout the season despite players already being worn down.

‘You don’t [manage the workload].” Flowers said.

“Low key, that’s why we had a lot of injuries. Because how we practiced.”

Several injuries to key stars blighted the Ravens’ 2025 campaign.

Most notably, quarterback Lamar Jackson, 29, suffered a string of setbacks that saw him miss their Week 17 clash with the Green Bay Packers.

Flowers also put forward that Harbaugh led too many running-based practices during his time with the Ravens.

“We’re running all week,” Flowers continued. “Then Friday-Saturday, I’m like, ‘damn, my legs.’ Now my legs start to recover on Saturday.”

But things are set to change as the Ravens shocked the NFL with the firing of Harbaugh after the 2025 season.

Harbaugh had been in charge of the franchise for 18 years.

He posted a .614 winning percentage during his time, including a win at Super Bowl XLVII.

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However, their failure to reach the playoffs proved critical after an 8-9 campaign.

Jesse Minter, 42, has taken over as the Ravens’ new head coach.

Minter previously ran the Los Angeles Chargers‘ defense.

Flowers has suggested that Minter is expected to give his team a lighter workload during the 2026 NFL season.