It was another tough postseason for Ravens Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers, this time for different reasons.
Flowers missed both playoff games because of a knee injury suffered in the regular-season finale and could've made a difference in the Ravens' ultimate 27-25 loss to the Bills in the Divisional Round.
"It was killing me, for sure," Flowers said Monday as players cleaned out their lockers. "I want to be out there every game. I want to go through everything they go through, so not being out there, it took a little toll on me, just to watch that and not be able to participate and do what I wanted to do and help the team."
Flowers said he felt like he was going to have a "better chance to play" if the Ravens reached this year's AFC Championship and a rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he didn't say it was a certainty.
Flowers had a frustrating end to last season in the AFC Championship game when he fumbled at the goal line on the first play in the fourth quarter as tried to dive into the end zone.
He used that as motivation last offseason and posted a phenomenal sophomore season with 1,059 receiving yards. Asked if he would use this season's playoff absences as motivation, Flowers said "definitely."
"Because you want to play your last game," he said. "You want to play every game, so not being able to play, that messed with me a little bit."
Pat Ricard Wants to Retire a Raven
All-Pro fullback Pat Ricard will be a free agent this offseason, but he made it clear where he wants to be next year and beyond.
"I want to stay here," Ricard said. "I want to be here. I want to retire here. We'll see what happens when the time comes."
Ricard signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and has turned into a five-time Pro Bowler in Baltimore. Ricard started his career playing defensive line and has established himself as one of the game's fiercest blockers.
He helped running back Derrick Henry rush for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, and he's hoping that won't be his only season blocking for the King.
Tylan Wallace Has Thought About Free Agency, Wants to Return to Baltimore
Tylan Wallace had the best season of his career as a reserve wide receiver for the Ravens, but he faces an uncertain future as he's set to hit free agency.
Wallace, who had 193 receiving yards this season and a 27-yard catch in the playoff loss in Buffalo, said he has thought about the process and wants to stay in Baltimore.
"For me, I just try to be like, 'However it plays out, it plays out,'" Wallace said. "Hopefully I'm back here again. Obviously, I love it here. But like I said, we'll just see how the chips all lay down and hopefully it goes the way I want it to."
Wallace was drafted to the Ravens in the fourth round in 2021 and has carved out a role as a backup receiver and punt returner. Wallace had a game-winning punt return touchdown against the Rams last season and scored on an84-yard catch and run this year. He hauled in 13 of 15 passes thrown his way.
"Overall, everybody, it's just a great culture, a great program," Wallace said. "I like being here."
