Ravens TE Isaiah Likely To Miss Training Camp With Injury

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a potentially devastating blow Tuesday afternoon when Ravens TE Isaiah Likely was carted off the field at the end of practice, according to ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley. Likely was able to limp back to the locker room and will receive an MRI to find out more about the injury.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, according to Hensley, says that the initial read is that Likely rolled his ankle and will be out at least a few weeks. However, the team will need an MRI to determine the full severity.

He is heading into a critical season, as this is the last year of his rookie deal, and he will become an unrestricted free agent next season.

Cowboys Provide Blueprint to Potential Extension

The Dallas Cowboys may have provided the framework for what Isaiah Likely’s potential contract extension will look like. On Sunday, Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson signed a four-year $52 million extension with $30 million guaranteed. Baltimore Ravens website writer Kevin Eck explained the similarities between Likely and Ferguson. 

“The career stats for Ferguson, 26, and Likely, 25, are comparable,” Eck says. “Ferguson, who Dallas took 10 spots before Likely in the fourth round in 2022, has 149 catches for 1,429 yards (9.6 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns. Likely has 108 catches for 1,261 yards (11.7 YPC) and 14 touchdowns.”

Likely also increased his receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns every year of his career. As Likely improves each season, he projects to continue that trajectory in the 2025 season as well.

Bigger Piece of the Offense

Along with Isaiah Likely entering the last year of his deal, the Ravens’ number one tight end, Mark Andrews, is as well. The former All-Pro is one of the greatest tight ends in Ravens history, but at the age of 30 and with an ascending tight end in Likely waiting in the wings, Andrews’ future in Baltimore seems uncertain.

In an offense with two tight ends competing for new contracts and only one ball to go around, things could get complicated, but Andrews assures that the team will be unselfish. Sarah Ellison of Ravens Vault reported on Andrews’ take on the matter.

“At the end of the day, it’s got to be an unselfish group. That’s the type of guys they bring in here – it’s an unselfish group,” Andrews said.  “That’s not to say guys aren’t going to want the rock – have their yards, carries, and catches. Coach Monk talks about that a lot,” Andrews continued. “For us, it’s being unselfish, trusting the process and trusting No. 8. He makes incredible reads and incredible decisions and leads us to victories. And when we do that, good things will happen. It’s about being there for him.”

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has the problems every QB wants to have, deciding between throwing to Andrews, Likely, or even Charlie Kolar. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken will have his work cut out for him.  He will have to find ways to feed both Andrews and Likely a satisfactory number of targets each game.

2025 is a big season for Likely, and with his ankle injury, it has gotten off to a rocky start, but with it occurring so early in Training Camp, everything Likely wants to accomplish is still in front of him.