He’s still recovering from surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot, but the Baltimore Ravens made a major call about tight end Isaiah Likely on roster cutdown day. A move that has implications for how one of the NFL’s best offenses starts the season.
The Ravens chose not to put “Likely on injured reserve, which means he’s eligible to play in Baltimore’s first four games,” according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
It’s a huge boost for the Ravens at a time when All-Pro starter Mark Andrews has been sitting out recent practices, per Ravens.com Staff Writer Clifton Brown. Andrews remains a viable weapon when fully healthy, one who is still the NFL’s best in a key area, but this is a pivotal season for Likely.
The latter is set to enter free agency in 2026, although his status could change before then. Provided Likely lives up to his billing as a breakout candidate ready to take the reins from Andrews and become the clutch target of choice for franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Isaiah Likely Change a Huge Boost for Ravens
Having Likely available even for one of the opening four games of the new season is great news for the Ravens. And not just because facing legitimate Super Bowl contenders the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs in three of those contests provides a stern test of this team’s ability to contend again.
Likely is also the most dynamic player at his position on the roster. The 25-year-old’s big-play capability comes from his hybrid skill-set. He’s a 6-foot-4, 245-pounder who moves more like a wide receiver than a tight end.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken has become increasingly adept at unleashing Likely’s deceptive play speed from multiple spots. His role has expanded into a nightmare for defenses to cover, but Likely needs to be on the field to reach his full potential and earn a big payday from the Ravens.
This news is a good first step toward Likely returning to action sooner than expected, although in the meantime, the Ravens are still stacked at a key spot on the roster.
Ravens Remain Loaded at Tight End
They are only carrying a trio of tight ends on their final 53-man roster, but few teams are as loaded at the position as the Ravens.
Baltimore’s riches aren’t just about Likely and proven commodity Andrews. There’s also the growing threat from Likely’s fellow fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Charlie Kolar.
He’s perhaps the most complete tight end on the depth chart, thanks to some burgeoning receiving skills Kolar showed off during training camp.
Kolar’s emergence as more of a weapon will be crucial during the opening month of the campaign. If he can carry impressive form this offseason into games that matter, Kolar can expand the options the Ravens have about the futures of both Likely and Andrews.
The latter is primed to bounce back from last season’s playoff calamities, but 29-year-old Andrews is also under threat from Likely. It’s a good problem for the Ravens to have, even if Andrews won’t want to relinquish his status as a go-to option for Jackson without a fight.
What the Ravens have done is arrange the roster to keep this competition alive early in what’s shaping up to be a decisive season for each of their capable tight ends.
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