Isaiah Likely’s Setback Puts the Spotlight on Tight End Depth

Isaiah Likely, the team’s versatile and explosive fourth-year tight end, suffered a foot fracture during a one-on-one drill in training camp this week. This non-contact injury will sideline Likely for six weeks, but here’s the kicker. There’s still a chance for him to suit up for Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills, but it might be a situation where the month of September may be in doubt, so he is fully healthy.

Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Likely’s Injury Update

Prior to the injury, the Ravens were already boasting one of the deepest tight end units in the league. Likely’s absence, however, underscores just how pivotal this group will be, especially with a looming season opener against an AFC powerhouse like Buffalo.

While Mark Andrews continues to be Lamar Jackson’s primary go-to guy and arguably the best tight end in the game when it comes to converting on touchdowns, there’s something about Isaiah Likely’s versatility that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Six touchdowns and nearly 500 receiving yards in 2024 didn’t just come out of nowhere.

For Likely, entering his final rookie-contract year and battling to establish himself as a longer-term piece, this injury isn’t insignificant. Yet, it may also serve as an unexpected opportunity for fellow tight end Charlie Kolar, who’s not so quietly carving out a reputation as a bruiser in the middle of the field.

Sure, Kolar’s stats from 2024 (9 catches, 131 yards, 1 TD) aren’t likely to overshadow Andrews, but this training camp and preseason just became his ultimate proving ground.

Mark Andrews’ Quiet Redemption Tour Just Got Louder

Talk about timing. It wasn’t that long ago that rumors of a potential trade swirled around Mark Andrews, with whispers suggesting Baltimore might favor its younger, cheaper crop of tight ends. But now? Andrews is more valuable and has a shot at redemption to start the 2025 NFL season.

Already a Ravens legend as the franchise’s all-time leader in touchdowns, Andrews has unfinished business in 2025. Last year’s AFC playoffs left a bitter taste, but if his early training camp performance is any indicator, the perennial Pro Bowler is gearing up for redemption. And now, with Likely temporarily out of the picture, even more responsibility will fall on Andrews to keep the Ravens’ offense humming on all cylinders.

The chemistry between Andrews and Lamar Jackson is undeniable. If history tells us anything, it’s that when No. 8 needs a play, No. 89 is his first call. The Ravens aren’t panicking yet, and why should they? Andrews’ knack for red-zone dominance could very well define the team’s early-season success.

“Any time you lose a guy like Isaiah who’s such a special talent, it forces others to step up,” said Coach John Harbaugh. “We’re lucky to have Mark as our leader out there. The room is still in great hands.”

The Likely Silver Lining

While it’s never fun to watch a young star battle through injury right before a make-or-break season, there’s reason for hope. At 25, Likely’s bounce-back potential is sky-high. Harbaugh called it “not a major type of deal,” and it sounds like the Ravens are doing everything possible to make sure he’s ready when it counts.

For fans, this setback also shines a spotlight on the thing Baltimore prides itself on most: next-man-up consistency. The Ravens’ ability to develop depth at critical positions like tight end is what keeps them in the mix in the hyper-competitive AFC.

Can The Ravens Handle Early Adversity?

Losing a dynamic playmaker like Likely temporarily is a blow, but with an offense loaded with versatility and star power, the Ravens are in a good position to weather the storm early on.

What’s happening under the radar could end up defining the season. Will Mark Andrews continue his march toward historic greatness? Can Charlie Kolar seize his opportunity to break through? And, most importantly, will Isaiah Likely return to make his presence felt down the stretch?

All we know for sure is this team remains one of the most intriguing in the NFL, balancing between “win now” mode and building for sustained success. For Ravens fans, buckle up. Training camp just got more compelling, and Week 1 in Buffalo is already must-watch TV.