OWINGS MILLS, Md. — While Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander practiced for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks Wednesday, two offensive standouts remained sidelined as preparations intensified for Sunday’s opener in Buffalo.
Much of the attention was on the summer absences of Alexander (knee) and tight end Isaiah Likely (foot surgery), but five-time Pro Bowl tight end Patrick Ricard hasn’t practiced since before the Aug. 16 preseason win at Dallas. Head coach John Harbaugh described the ailment as “a little soft tissue thing” a couple weeks ago, but Wednesday’s injury report revealed the 31-year-old Ricard is dealing with a calf injury, which is the kind of ailment that can linger and be more prone to a setback.
Likely isn’t expected to play against the Bills as he continues recovering from late July surgery for a fracture in his left foot, and Ricard not being available would further test Baltimore’s propensity for using heavy formations and multiple tight ends. Out of 59 offensive snaps in last January’s divisional-round loss at Buffalo, Likely played 47 — and scored the game’s final touchdown — while Ricard lined up for 25.
Though Baltimore could elevate tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden or fullback Lucas Scott from the practice squad for depth at either position, fourth-year blocking tight end Charlie Kolar figures to be the most prominent individual filling the void for Likely and possibly Ricard if he also sits. Mostly used as a blocking tight end last season, Kolar caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown and averaged 19.3 offensive snaps per contest over the 13 games he played, which marked a career high.
“He’s had an incredible camp. It’s like one of the best camps I’ve really ever seen by a player — just a total stud,” three-time Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews said. “He’s been balling out, taking a big workload, and he’s just continued to make big strides. He’s doing incredible in the blocking game, but he’s running great routes, and he is looking really fluid. I’m excited about him, and he’s going to have a big year.”
Alexander was officially listed as a limited participant in his first practice since Aug. 9. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback played in just seven games for Green Bay last season after sustaining a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in late October. The knee continued to give him problems this summer as he had it drained in late July and rested it over the final three weeks of training camp.
Head coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal about how much practice Alexander would need to be ready to play in a game after the extended absence. During the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to reporters, the 28-year-old didn’t do a whole lot, but he appeared to move around OK and was not wearing a brace on his knee.
8
“We’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll see how it goes this week.”
Even if Alexander suits up Sunday night, he would likely split snaps with fellow veteran Chidobe Awuzie, who also missed time over the latter half of August with an unspecified ailment. Awuzie, 30, returned to practice last week and was not included on Wednesday’s injury report.
It’s unclear when Likely will make his 2025 debut, but the Ravens remain optimistic about his early-season availability, which is why they didn’t place him on injured reserve at the end of the preseason.
“After about the first two days [coming out of surgery], he kind of locked in and became patient,” Harbaugh said. “He’s done really well, and I would say maybe ahead of schedule probably. We’ll just have to see how that goes going forward, but I think he’s been good. He’s probably going to start getting antsy here pretty soon though.”
On Wednesday, the Ravens signed former New Orleans special-teams standout and safety J.T. Gray to their practice squad and released defensive back Thomas Graham. Harbaugh anticipates the 29-year-old Gray will “be contributing very soon on special teams for us.”
The Bills enter the season opener with a banged-up secondary, which could spell trouble against two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Top cornerback Christian Benford has been dealing with a groin injury over the last couple weeks, and fellow starting corner Tre’Davious White — who finished last season with Baltimore — remained out of practice with a groin strain of his own.
Buffalo listed leading receiver Khalil Shakir as a full practice participant, which bodes well for his status after recovering from a high ankle sprain suffered in early August. However, starting wide receiver Keon Coleman (groin) was an unexpected addition to Wednesday’s injury report, which often indicates an injury occurring during practice.
8Bills kicker Tyler Bass was listed as limited due to a hip and groin issue with his non-kicking left leg. For what it’s worth, Buffalo worked out a trio of kickers — Zane Gonzalez, Greg Joseph, and Eddy Pineiro — last Thursday without signing one to the practice squad.
Below is Wednesday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: TE Isaiah Likely (foot), FB Patrick Ricard (calf)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: CB Jaire Alexander (knee), G Daniel Faalele (illness)
BUFFALO
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DT DeWayne Carter (Achilles), CB Tre’Davious White (groin)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: K Tyler Bass (left hip/groin), CB Christian Benford (groin), WR Keon Coleman (groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION: WR Khalil Shakir (ankle)
