The Ravens elevated veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood and defensive back Amani Oruwariye from the practice squad for Sunday’s AFC North title game in Pittsburgh.
It will be Kirkwood’s first game of the season, as the 31-year-old has spent the entire year on the practice squad.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver was also elevated for last year’s regular-season finale against the Steelers but didn’t see any snaps. Thus, he could see his first game action as a Raven Sunday night in Pittsburgh.
Wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn’t practice all week due to a “pretty serious” bout with the flu, Head Coach John Harbaugh said. Harbaugh expects that Bateman will be able to shake it off by Sunday night.
If he can’t, DeAndre Hopkins would likely step into a starting position in a mix with Devontez Walker and possibly Tylan Wallace. Kirkwood could also work into the rotation as a big-bodied and sure-handed receiving threat.
Oruwariye played in one other game this season, the Ravens’ late November win over the New York Jets. He made one tackle with 12 special teams snaps but none on defense.
Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey is also questionable to play due to an illness that sidelined him for Friday’s practice, though Harbaugh also expected him to rebound in time for the huge rivalry game.