OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Friday marked seven weeks since Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely underwent surgery for a fracture in his left foot sustained only a week into training camp.
And while he’d certainly like to return for the high-profile clash with Detroit on Monday night, the 25-year-old playmaker and Baltimore need to consider more than their chances of beating the Lions, especially with 14 games to go — and what everyone expects to be a playoff run — after that. That reality makes it more notable that Likely has logged only three limited practices since returning to the back fields in Owings Mills last Friday ahead of the Cleveland game.
It’s not as though Lamar Jackson and the Ravens have struggled to score points without him so far in 2025.
“You always want to look at the long game because, at the end of the day in this league, it’s a turtle’s race,” said Likely, who set career highs in catches (42), receiving yards (477), and touchdowns (six) last season. “You don’t want to get in [games in] September at 80%. I really understand that January is so far away, so I want to [play]. Obviously, we just put up 40-plus [points] back to back, so knowing that the offense is well capable to be able to be themselves, whether I’m on or off the field. Knowing that, I’m in no rush, and they’re not rushing me to get back.
“Me [being] limited isn’t helping anybody. You guys want to see me be me.”
This is also a contract year for the 2022 fourth-round pick from Coastal Carolina, who’s emerged from the shadow of Mark Andrews over the last couple seasons when the three-time Pro Bowl tight end has dealt with injuries. With both scheduled to become free agents next March and Likely 4 1/2 years younger, most expect the Ravens to prioritize the understudy, who’s developed strong chemistry with Jackson both on and off the field.
Despite Likely being sidelined for each of the first two games, Jackson hasn’t relied nearly as much on Andrews as some anticipated with the 30-year-old making just two catches for seven yards, which didn’t include an end-zone pass in his hands that was knocked away by Cleveland safety Grant Delpit in the 41-17 win over the Browns. Blocking tight end Charlie Kolar hasn’t made a catch over the first two games either.
8
To be clear, that’s no reason for overreaction over a small sample in which the offense scored plenty of points, but the Ravens are eager to welcome back Likely, whether it’s against Detroit or next week in Kansas City.
“He’s just such a versatile player. There are a number of things you can do with him — in line and flexed out,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “Those are the things that when you have versatile players that allow you to do a number of things [and] playing a lot of modes with them, then it’s certainly an advantage for us.”
While outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy (hamstring) sitting out Week 3 has been a foregone conclusion since the immediate aftermath of the Cleveland win, there’s growing concern about the status of two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who missed a second straight practice with a neck injury. It isn’t apparent when the injury may have occurred since Madubuike took reps through Cleveland’s penultimate drive and appeared fine on the sideline as backups played the closing minutes.
With there already being much attention on an outside linebacker room preparing to be without Van Noy in the short term, Madubuike’s absence would further strain a pass rush needing to put heat on Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who threw five touchdowns against Chicago last Sunday. In recent seasons, Pro Football Focus has graded Goff among the very best quarterbacks in the league playing from a clean pocket and one of the worst qualified passers when under pressure.
“You talk about [with] any quarterback, if you let them sit back there, set their feet, and get comfortable, they’ll make you pay,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “Jared Goff is one of the best at that. He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks when he has a clear picture and he can set his feet and throw the football. We definitely have to generate pressure on him, whether that’s with a four-man rush or whether that’s sending extra guys at him.”
In more encouraging injury news, cornerback Nate Wiggins (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out Thursday’s workout. Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey (groin) was a full participant for a second straight day, making it clear that he’ll play against Detroit.
Meanwhile, the Lions practiced without starting edge rusher Marcus Davenport (chest) for a second straight day, but everyone else on their 53-man roster practiced in some capacity.
8Below is Friday’s full injury report:
BALTIMORE
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DT Nnamdi Madubuike (neck), FB Patrick Ricard (calf), OLB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: TE Isaiah Likely (foot), CB Nate Wiggins (groin)
FULL PARTICIPATION: RB Rasheen Ali (concussion), CB Marlon Humphrey (groin), NT John Jenkins (personal)
DETROIT
DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DE Marcus Davenport (chest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION: LB Jack Campbell (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (knee), CB D.J. Reed (knee)
FULL PARTICIPATION: OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), LB Trevor Nowaske (elbow), RB Sione Vaki (hamstring)
