Rashod Bateman: Everything you need to know

Bateman (illness) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Head coach John Harbaugh initially expressed optimism Friday that Bateman would be able to play in Sunday's pivotal AFC North tilt, but the fifth-year wideout will end up being sidelined after missing practice all week while battling through an illness. With Bateman sidelined, Lamar Jackson will lean more on Zay Flowers, DeAndre Hopkins, Devontez Walker, Tylan Wallace and tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely in the passing game. Bateman will end the 2025 regular season with 19 catches (on 39 targets) for 224 yards and two touchdowns across 13 games. He'll aim to progress enough in his recovery to be available for the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs should the Ravens advance with a win over the Steelers on Sunday.

Bateman (illness) did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Steelers, though head coach john Harbaugh said he expects the starting wideout to be cleared for Week 18, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports. Bateman has missed three straight practices due to a lingering ailment, and though Harbaugh has stated that the veteran wideout will likely suit up Week 18, his status may not be made official until roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Lamar Jackson (back) has been cleared to return to action for Sunday's divisional matchup, in which the AFC North title will be on the line, but Bateman nonetheless remains a risky bet for production even if he's healthy. Across his last five regular-season appearances, Bateman has compiled just four catches for 40 scoreless receiving yards on nine targets.

Bateman (illness) is not participating in the early portion of Friday's practice open to the media, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports. Bateman appears on track to miss all three of Baltimore's practice sessions ahead of Sunday's night's regular-season finale against the Steelers, which will determine the victor of the AFC North title. Given the significance of the divisional matchup, the Ravens may list Bateman as questionable even if he's indeed unable to practice in any capacity Friday in order to give him every opportunity to contribute on offense. DeAndre Hopkins and Devontez Walker will benefit from increased playing time if Bateman can't go.