OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After must discussion about the future of standout tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely throughout the offseason, the Ravens could be without the latter for the start of the 2025 campaign.
Likely, 25, suffered a fracture in his foot that will require surgery and sideline him for the remainder of the preseason. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed the reported recovery timeline of roughly six to eight weeks, which would make it difficult for Likely to be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at Buffalo. Baltimore isn’t dismissing the possibility, however, with 5 1/2 weeks still to go until the season begins.
A 2022 fourth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina, Likely rolled his foot going against reserve safety Sanoussi Kane in a 1-on-1 drill late in Tuesday’s practice and was eventually carted off the field.
“We have a shot to get him back there right away early. We’ll see. And so that’s the good news,” Harbaugh said. “It was early in camp, and it’s not one of those major type of deals, but it’s something. It’s multiple weeks.”
While the timing certainly helps Likely’s chances of not missing too much regular-season action, it’s still an unfortunate development for an ascending player entering a contract year and coming off a career-high 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. With Andrews also entering the final year of his deal and his age-30 season, many have predicted general manager Eric DeCosta will prioritize re-signing the younger Likely if he can’t find a way to fit both under the salary cap. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Andrews was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, but the Ravens have to be even happier to have kept him with Likely’s early-season status now in doubt.
The pair combined to catch 17 touchdowns from star quarterback Lamar Jackson last season.
Losing Likely is hardly catastrophic for an offense coming off a record-setting 2024 and having added five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to its collection of pass-catching options, but a daunting start to 2025 includes contests against the Bills, Detroit, and Kansas City over the first four weeks. Last year’s 0-2 start all but took the Ravens out of the serious running for one of the top two spots in the AFC playoffs, which resulted in them playing at Buffalo in the divisional round.
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Likely’s absence will probably lead to more reps for No. 3 tight end Charlie Kolar, who is also entering a contract year. Despite seeing much more action as a blocker last year, Kolar managed to catch nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. The fellow 2022 fourth-round pick out of Iowa State certainly didn’t want to see his opportunity come at the expense of his teammate and friend.
“Just because people say it’s a part of football doesn’t make it any better. It sucks,” Kolar said. “The guy’s worked his tail off. He’s a great player, a great teammate. Obviously, we’re grateful that it’s not super long term. I know that the general feel is we hope to get him back early, which will be awesome. But it sucks.”
Flowers sidelined for “a few days”
After struggling with a physical issue the day before, wide receiver Zay Flowers was absent from Wednesday’s workout, but Harbaugh isn’t expecting the Pro Bowl selection to miss much time.
“He and a couple other guys that you didn’t see are all [going through] camp-type things that you really just need to not go out [to practice] for a few days on,” Harbaugh said. “He’ll be back in a few days.”
Others absent from Wednesday’s practice included cornerbacks Jalyn Armour-Davis and Bilhal Kone (shoulder) and running back Marcus Major. Third-round rookie offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. (shoulder surgery) remains on the active non-football injury list.
Armour-Davis underwent an MRI after leaving Monday’s practice with an undisclosed injury, but Harbaugh said the results revealed nothing that would keep the fourth-year corner out for an extended period of time.
“It’s not a serious deal. It’s one of the ‘-itises,'” Harbaugh said. “It’s not going to be anything that’s going to keep him out for a long period of time. He’ll be fine.”
